Vietnam from the backseat of a fighter-bomber

Epilogue

2010-09-14T16:53:00.000-05:00

Epilogue

Between September 16 and September 19, 1970, I flew in the cargo bay of a C-130 cargo airplane from Okinawa to Wake Island, then to Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay in Oahu, Hawaii.

On the morning of September 20, I was part of a four aircraft flight of F-4s that departed Hawaii on the final leg home. Approximately two hours into the flight, one of the aircraft developed a mechanical problem. We had to turn back to Hawaii. Got to spend another night there.

On the morning of September 21 we departed Hawaii, again, and arrived at El Toro Marine Corps Air Station in southern California after a flight of 5.3 hours. My pilot was Lt. Scheuller. When we arrived, it was late and dark. There were no bands. No welcome home ceremony. No speeches. No family or friends to greet us. Just a dark, lonely tarmac.

But we were finally home.

Photos, top to bottom.
1. Me with my sons post-Vietnam
2. Lt. Scheuller
3. F-4 of VMFA-314, over the Pacific, somewhere between Hawaii and El Toro
4. F-4s on flight line at Hawaii
5. F-4 taxiing out at Kaneohe Bay
6. Marines sleeping in the cargo bay of the C-130
7. F-4s on tarmac at Wake Island
8. C-130 cargo plane in which I flew from Vietnam to Hawaii. A long way to fly in one of those.

13 September 1970

2010-09-13T11:48:00.000-05:00

Sunday
13 September
Kadena A.B. Okinawa

I got here late last night!!! I am out of Vietnam for good. It’s a great feeling to know I’m not going back to Chu Lai.

We’re leaving here the morning of the 16th and will arrive in El Toro on the 20th. At least I think I’ll be there on the 20th. So many things have been changed because of weather and other things - that things could change again.

We had our “brief” for the transpac this afternoon, so we’re all set to go.

122 is leaving tomorrow, as is an A-6 squadron which is going to El Toro. A guy I was in PLCs with is in the A-6 squadron and is staying in the same room I’m in. In fact, I borrowed this stationary from him, as I don’t have any with me.

I don’t have anything to do while we’re here except eat, sleep, and lay in the sun at the pool.

My flight is scheduled to arrive at El Toro at 1400 on the 20th.

I should be in Hawaii on the 18th. I’m supposed to fly to El Toro in a flight of 4 F-4's.

Photo - no more camouflage uniforms. C-130 cargo plane in background.

11 September 1970

2010-09-11T17:55:00.000-05:00

Friday night
11 September 1970

Looks as though I’ll be leaving Chu Lai tomorrow!!!!! The rest of our F-4's are leaving in the morning and I should leave sometime after lunch. Weather permitting! We are going to Okinawa instead of Cubi Point, and I’m glad about that. I’m almost afraid to say it, but this is my last night in Chu Lai.

We had a fantastic floor show at the club tonight. The group was from the Philippines and had some acts that were better than things I’ve seen on T.V. back in the world. With all the talent they had I don’t know what they’re doing entertaining in Vietnam.

I spent today playing a game called “Risk”. It’s a game with dice in which a person tries to conquer countries with his “armies”. Some of us played it about five hours today, just to kill time. The squadron has a bunch of these games, for some reason, and I happened to see this one this morning and decided I’d learn how to play it. In the process of teaching myself several other people became interested, so we had a good time. It’s amazing what we do to kill time these days.

I don’t have anything else to write about......

I just hope all the F-4's get out tomorrow so I can leave!!

10 September 1970

2010-09-10T17:40:00.000-05:00

Thursday night
10 September 1970

The typhoon in the Philippines areas has really messed things up here!! We got five planes out this morning before we got word to stop! We were told not to send anymore planes to Cubi Point - in fact all planes at Cubi Point were sent to Okinawa - including our five. Well, now the people who run the war over here, i.e. generals and admirals, can’t decide if they want us to wait here until the typhoon threat passes Cubi Point or go to Okinawa and start our TRANSPAC from there.

You see, there are three squadrons supposed to meet at one common place where we are to be briefed on all the details to get all these planes from here to the states. That place was to have been Cubi Point. However the typhoon has ruined the time table, so if we still want to use Cubi Point, everything will have to be postponed a few days, or they can move the whole operation to Okinawa, which we would like to do. Kadena A.B. is a much nicer place and a lot of people want to buy stereo equipment and ship it home. Okinawa would be a much better place for that.

Anyway, I’m still in Chu Lai and I guess I’ll still leave here on the 12th , subject to change!

We had another good movie tonight - “Sweet Charity”. At the end of a long day it’s very refreshing to see a good movie in the evening. Tomorrow will be more of the same for me, hours of boredom. I keep telling myself that any one with average intelligence can keep himself busy, so I must not have average intelligence. I can’t even read, I can’t concentrate on a book. All I think about is getting out of this place.

Photos - top to bottom

Speeches, and crews for first four aircraft of VMFA-314 to leave Chu Lai.
Refreshments for the Marines
Dancing woman, entertaining the soon to depart Marines

9 September 1970

2010-09-03T17:40:00.000-05:00

Wednesday night
9 September 1970

Well, looks like I get to spend two more days here at Chu Lai. Don Mikulka came down from Danang to take Pat Skeldon’s place, instead of me taking his place. So Don is leaving tomorrow with the F-4's and I’ll leave Saturday in a C-130. I’m not bitter though because what’s two days when I’m going to El Toro!!

122 left this morning at 0700. I went down to see them off and took a few pictures. Also this morning we had a rocket attack! Only six rockets and no damage, but we expect more of the same tonight.

Three generals are coming down from Danang to see 314 off tomorrow. That’s how popular the squadron is over here. Of course it’s also a sort of farewell to MAG-13 also.

Today was another of those very long days - and I’ve a feeling that the next two days are going to be worse.

We had a terrific wind and rain storm here this afternoon. There is a typhoon just east of the Philippines and is expected to hit there about Saturday. That’s another thing I’m worried about! If the weather gets bad at Cubi Point, I may be here more than two more days. I’ve been here for nearly 11 months - so you’d think I wouldn’t mind waiting a few more days - but it’s awful. I want to go right now.

Don Mikulka said he just got word yesterday that he’s going with us and that he doesn’t much want to go. He’ll get to stay in El Toro and won’t have to come back. He was due to go home early in November.

It was certainly lonely today without 122, and it’s going to be worse with 314 gone. Believe it or not, nostalgia is setting in! Ha.

Photos - F-4s heading to Hawaii. Notice the center fuel tank. Two wing tanks and center tank made for a heavy load of jet fuel.

8 September 1970

2010-09-03T17:33:00.000-05:00

Tuesday night
8 September 1970

122 is leaving tomorrow morning, and all the mail coming to the squadron is being diverted to Hawaii. So I will receive no more mail in Vietnam!! 314 to leave day after tomorrow. That one day without 122 here is going to be lonesome! All the guys I’ve served with all this time will be gone. Of course I’ll catch up with them in Cubi Point, and then pass them at Hawaii, so I’m not the least bit sad. Ha.

The movie tonight was Mash. It’s a satire of the army medical corps in Korea. It was really good. Probably the largest attendance at any movie ever was present.

I have all my gear packed and ready to go. A plane is leaving tomorrow taking all our gear. So all I’ll have left here is what I’ll carry with me.

I’ll continue to write as I go across the Pacific.

Pat Skelton, from 513, was supposed to go to El Toro and then come back to Vietnam. He was planning on seeing his wife there for a few days. However, he got word today that he is going to FAC duty, so he can’t go to El Toro! What a bust!! He has to leave tomorrow for his FAC tour. We all know the war is over (for Marines) but they keep on harassing us. They just won’t give anyone a break. There will be one F-4 squadron left in Vietnam, and about 80 F-4 trained aircrews. And one squadron only needs about 40 aircrews. All the rest of the guys will just be knocking around, filling misc jobs until their time is up. It is really very ridiculous!!!! At least I’m getting out!

Photo - Lt. Kurt Wilbrecht, RIP

6 September 1970

2010-09-03T17:20:00.000-05:00

Sunday night
6 September 1970

15 (?) MORE DAYS!!

Most everyone here thinks we’ll be in El Toro by the 22nd. I sure hope so.

I got cookies today and they are the best ones yet!! They got here in only six days so they are very fresh.

Since I’m a standby crewman from here to Hawaii, I can’t leave Chu Lai until all the planes have left. I will fly if someone gets sick, etc. I hope we can get all the planes out of here on the 10th, so I can leave also!!

We had steaks at the mess hall tonight and I ate two. They were so good. Right now I’m stuffing myself with cookies! Ha.

I flew for 4 hours today! All at one time. And my seat was numb, literally, when we got back. It was a test flight. That’s not as long, however, as it’ll take to fly from Hawaii to El Toro. That leg will take over 6 hours. That’s a long time to sit still, not use bathroom, etc. But it’s well worth it.

Photo - Lt. Mike Breeding. RIP

4 September 1970

2010-09-03T17:16:00.000-05:00

Friday night
4 September 1970
17 (?) MORE DAYS!

I got photos today and hope to get cookies in the next five days!

I did nothing today as it was my first full day in 314 and I, of course, don’t have a job or any responsibilities at all. I’ve heard that we probably will not be given a job now, as there are none open. That’s fine with me because I’ve become used to reading all day.

There was a terrific explosion just now and I just about jumped out of my chair. Don’t know what it was.

I forget to write yesterday that I flew yesterday. It was a great feeling, that it was my last combat mission. Now all I have to worry about are rocket attacks for the next five days, and then the flight home. As far as I know I’ll be flying to El Toro in a F-4, but I’m not sure.

Photo - Another look at the Vietnamese children we left behind.

3 September 1970

2010-09-03T17:11:00.000-05:00

Thursday night
3 September 1970

I am now with VMFA-314!! And I’m going with them to El Toro!!! We are to leave Chu Lai on 10 September, leave Cubi Point on or about 15 September, and arrive in El Toro between 20 - 25 September.

Someone realized that VMFA-122 had to many people for the number of airplanes we have to fly to Hawaii. So we had to transfer some people. The C.O. asked for volunteers and I did. I hope I’m not sorry! Ha.

314 is almost all new guys who will have to come back to Vietnam after they get to El Toro.

I got a package of ripples and bean dip.

18 (?) More days.

Photo - Aircraft 00 of my new squadron, VMFA-314

2 September 1970

2010-09-02T18:27:00.000-05:00

Wednesday night
2 September 1970

46 MORE DAYS!
7 MORE DAYS IN CHU LAI!
1 MORE FLYING DAY!

I’m scheduled to fly tomorrow - so it’ll be (I hope) my last mission. We’re having a big MAG-13 celebration because it is the last combat flying day for MAG-13! Quite a momentous occasion.

Yesterday I got my “going home shots” - cholera and P.P.D. Also was given 8 malaria pills to take back to the states. It’s really hard to realize that time is growing short - even though I still have some time left on the 12 months.

This morning I shipped the foot locker - so all I have left here are the things I’ll take with me to Hawaii. Everything else I’ll burn - i.e. green underwear, old towels, old socks, old shoes, etc. I’m going to build a big bonfire on the last night and burn all that stuff. Sort of a celebration of my own.

Tomorrow I must do some laundry. I have to wash the underwear I’ll be taking with me. And I hope it’s the last time I do my wash by hand. Not that it’s all that bad - it’s just the idea! Ha.

Despite the fact that both squadrons are leaving here in a week - there is still a good deal of confusion about who is going where. Some guys are to fly planes to El Toro or Hawaii, then come back to Vietnam. But no one knows just who. A lot of the newer guys don’t know if they can arrange to meet their wives in El Toro, etc. at least I know I’m going to Hawaii - for sure - at least.

31 August 1970

2010-08-31T11:38:00.000-05:00

Monday night
31 August 1970

48 MORE DAYS! And August is over!!!

I got mail today.

I flew today - 191 missions - and 3 more days to go.

It just doesn’t seem possible that (barring any change) I’ll be leaving S. Vietnam for good in less than 2 weeks!!! What a thing to look forward to - eh!!

30 August 1970

2010-08-30T12:38:00.000-05:00

Sunday night
30 August 1970

7 MORE WEEKS!

No mail for two days. I did get a box of bean dip and Fritos. They were all in good condition thanks to good packing material. I immediately sat down and ate one can of dip, by myself.

I’m on the all night duty right now. I’m a very well paid telephone answerer!

I just now had to stop and rewrite part of tomorrow’s flight schedule.

Right now I’m reading a very good book, A Shade of Difference, by Allen Drury. He also wrote Preserve and Protect, and Advise and Consent. His books are very good reading about politics and politicians, and all their ways of doing or not doing things. I really get worked up when I read his books. If they are even half true, things are really a mess!

The show we were to have at the club tonight was cancelled, so I’m not missing a thing. I’ll just read and sleep tonight.

Speaking of sleep. I still have trouble getting to sleep at nights. I just can’t seem to relax when I go to bed. My mind keeps thinking about a million things. When I finally do get to sleep, it’s so late that I then sleep late in the morning.

Photo - Chapel and post office/PX at Chu Lai

29 August 1970

2010-08-29T17:10:00.000-05:00

Saturday night
29 August 1970

50 MORE DAYS! Which is half as long as I was FAC. So - I should be able to make it!!!

I didn’t get any mail today.

I flew again today - believe it or not. And I’m scheduled to fly again tomorrow! Our airplane situation is still the same, but they’re giving us a few more missions. These missions are spaced through out the day so that we can use two airplanes for them all.

The movie tonight - “Bullitt” was broken up pretty bad, but it was still good to see it again.

Tomorrow night we are to have a floor show for our evening’s entertainment - but I have the all night ODO. I may or may not get off to go to the floor show. Our last two shows have been very good - I wonder if we can get three in a row!!

The other F-4 squadron here, VMFA - 314, is also leaving Chu Lai - the same time we are. Only it is going to El Toro - those lucky guys. Apparently some big shots at 1st MAW said either fly us - or get us out - so they are getting us out.

Photo - Navy Corpsman treating a Vietnamese woman. Taken while I was with the infantry.

28 August 1970

2010-08-28T18:22:00.000-05:00

Friday night
28 August 1970

51 MORE DAYS!

I flew a CAS mission today, finally, and I now have a total of 188 missions. The squadron is flying a little more now - but not much.

Our target today was a “known enemy location” - - - almost any given spot in South Vietnam could be called that! So you see - it was another routine mission. I no longer get any feeling of satisfaction from flying. I suppose that’s why I gave up trying to get 200 missions.

It’s only been 3 weeks since R&R - but it seems like forever. Time is really passing slowly now - because we’re all looking forward to leaving!!

The movie tonight was one I’d already seen - so -

Tomorrow night we’re supposed to see “Bullit” - I’m looking forward to that!

Photo - another pic from my days as a forward air controller.

27 August 1970

2010-08-27T18:40:00.000-05:00

Thursday night
27 August 1970

53 MORE DAYS!

Another day - another dollar - or so it goes! My day of sleep and reading was “ruined” by a test hop I had to fly this afternoon. I spent from noon on, waiting for them to get the plane ready and finally finished the hop at 1700.

We had Mexican food at the snack bar tonight - tostados - and they were delicious. I ate five of them before I could quit!!

I’m scheduled to fly tomorrow. It’ll be my first combat mission in four days. The squadron now has seven more flying (combat) days. After that we will be flying a lot of test and training hops. We have to flight test every plane to see if they will all refuel airborne. Also have to check cabin pressurization, automatic pilot system, etc, etc, etc. All the things needed for high altitude, long distance flying.

We had another good movie tonight - “The Kremlin Letter”. All the good movies, at least, are helping to keep people cheered up a little.

The P.X. had cokes for sale today, so John Haynes and I bought a case for my reefer. Cokes are very hard to get in Chu Lai - so when they are available, we stock up.

26 August 1970

2010-08-26T18:11:00.000-05:00

Wednesday night
26 August 1970

53 MORE DAYS!

I got two letters today.

I haven’t flown for two days - and I’m not flying tomorrow. We have 2 squadrons here at Chu Lai now - and both together are only flying 10 missions tomorrow. Life here is twice as bad as when we were flying dangerous missions in LAOS. This feeling of just wasting time is awful. Both of these squadrons could leave Vietnam tomorrow and no one would even miss us.

I had ODO for 3 hours this morning - but I have absolutely nothing tomorrow. So I suppose I’ll just read and sleep all day! Sounds like a real rough life, eh?

We had grilled steaks for dinner this evening and they were just great. I stuffed myself with two of them and was still hungry!

Last night John Haynes cooked up some refried beans and he, Lou de la Garza, Mike Franger and I ate them with crackers and sodas. Lou had these beans in a can and all we had to do was heat them (in a popcorn popper). We are all waiting eagerly for those Fritos and bean dip!!!!!

Photo - Lagoon at Chu Lai

25 August 1970

2010-08-25T19:22:00.002-05:00

Tuesday night
25 August 1970

54 MORE DAYS!

We had a very unfortunate occurrence in one of our squadrons recently. A young Marine got a letter from his wife asking for a divorce. He was so upset that he shot himself in the head - and died.

Right now I have to say - I have no chance of coming home early. Looks as though they’ll make us finish our tours in Hawaii so we can help get the squadron reorganized there.

24 August 1970

2010-08-24T17:32:00.000-05:00

Monday night
24 August 1970

55 MORE DAYS!

I received a box of cookies and candy today. They were carefully wrapped and are very fresh and delicious!

I went to Danang today with 115 and got back this afternoon about 1600. 122 is flying again tomorrow, but only two missions. Since I can’t possibly get 200 missions now - I’m not flying tomorrow and letting some other guys fly who haven’t in awhile.

We ate at 1st MAW mess at lunch and had a very good meal. It is reputedly one of the finest officer messes in Vietnam. However it didn’t even begin to compare to good home cooking!! I was wondering the other day what it’ll be like to eat home cooking again.

We had a very entertaining movie tonight. “Horse in a Grey Flannel Suit” starred Dean Jones - one of those heart warming Walt Disney movies. For the past week we’ve had some very good movies. Perhaps they will continue.

23 August 1970

2010-08-23T15:33:00.000-05:00

Sunday night
23 August 1970

8 MORE WEEKS!!

I got three letters today.

I left at 0815 for Cubi Point, Phillipines, and got there by 1000. We went to the BOQ and ate a very good brunch. Then we went to the P.X. and did a little shopping. I was looking for something specific but they didn’t have any. Perhaps they will when I go back there on the way to Hawaii. We left Cubi Point at 1300 and were in Chu Lai at 1445. It’s not every day that I fly from one foreign country to another for lunch, then back again!

Tomorrow I’m going to fly with VMFA-115. They are flying all their planes up to Danang and they don’t have as many RIOS as planes. I’ll fly a regular mission, after which we’ll land at Danang and I’ll have to fly back to Chu Lai on a cargo plane. At least I’ll get a combat mission for it. I haven’t flown one for four days now. And 122 isn’t flying again tomorrow. Looks like we may have quit flying earlier than we planned!!

Would you believe that because of a cut back in missions given to the 1st MAW, (we get our missions from the Air Force) the whole wing is flying less missions in one day than 122 used to fly alone in one day!!!!! Between 40 and 50 missions. This war is just about over for the Marines. There can be only one reason for this drastic cut back in flying - the Air Force is getting ready for when there will be no Marines in Vietnam. And that may not be to far away.

22 August 1970

2010-08-22T17:27:00.000-05:00

Saturday night
22 August 1970

57 MORE DAYS!

I didn’t fly today - so I’ll just give up on trying to get 200 missions. It’s impossible now. In fact, the squadron didn’t fly a single mission today, and is not scheduled to fly any tomorrow!!!!! That is how bad our airplane situation is. The whole business is very frustrating and morale in the squadron is at it’s lowest ebb in some time. Although we know we’re leaving soon, everyone is really depressed.

We’re “supposed” to have one plane up tomorrow, and I’ll be flying to Cubi Point, Philippines in that one plane. We have to take some parts over there for one of our planes which is stuck in Cubi Point. That plane is supposed to go to PAR (Rework facility) in Japan. But it’s been down for weeks. My trip over and back will take only a few hours, as it takes less than two hours to fly it one way. However, if the plane I’m in goes down in Cubi Point, I might get to stay over night, or even a few days. (Which I wouldn’t mind!!!)

We didn’t get any mail today as the mail plane didn’t get in until late tonight, so the mail will be delivered to the squadrons tomorrow morning. All the squadrons work 24 hours a day - but the postal clerks don’t work at night!

We had a good movie tonight - “Where Eagles Dare” starred Richard Burton and Clint Eastwood. It was one of those very exciting WWII movies which keeps you on the very edge of your seat at all times.

Since this is Saturday, we were supposed to have steaks tonight - but no - we had a “special” meal last night (not steaks) in honor of VMFA-115 which moved to Danang today. Since I was all fired up for steaks, I went to the club and bought a steak there. It was very good! It’s the first steak I’ve had since R&R!!

21 August 1970

2010-08-21T18:25:00.000-05:00

Friday night.
21 August 1970

58 MORE DAYS!

I didn’t get to fly today - because of no airplanes!!!! And no TPQ’S tonight. We’re supposed to leave Chu Lai about the 12th of Sept - flying 10 airplanes. This morning we had two airplanes up and one of them went down before take off. So I don’t see how we’ll ever get 10 planes ready to fly to Hawaii. And I don’t know if I want to fly that far in any of our planes! Ha.

I really don’t have much to write tonight because I just didn’t do anything today. With no flying, life is very boring over here. Although I now have about six jobs in the squadron, none of them require that I do anything - except at the first of the month. So I just read a lot! I figure that I’ve probably read between 75 and 100 books since I’ve been here. Of course most of them have been typical paperback novels, the kind you can sit down and read in just a few hours. If nothing else - I’ll bet I’ve improved my reading rate.

Photo - view of Chu Lai Officers Club from front of my house.

20 August 1970

2010-08-20T19:17:00.000-05:00

Thursday night
20 August 1970

59 MORE DAYS!

Today has been so uneventful, that I’ll be lucky to fill this page!! My barcap tonight was canceled because we didn’t have enough airplanes (3) for it!! So instead I have a midnight TPQ - seems like I’m becoming a night owl with all the night flying I’m doing these days.
I didn’t get any mail today so should get more mail tomorrow.

I did pack up some things today and get them mailed. I mailed out my tape recorder, some of my cassettes and a box of clothing and uniforms. I will probably mail some more things later, after I find out exactly how much stuff I’ll be taking to Hawaii.

It’s official now - only people with November RTD’S or earlier are going with us to Hawaii. This has really been a blow to a lot of people who were making plans to have wives come to Hawaii. Since we’re having so few people go to Hawaii, we probably won’t do a whole lot of flying after we get there. We’ll probably spend the time I’m there getting reorganized and adjusting to our new mission (whatever that’l be?).

I have two hours ‘til my brief - so I’ll spend that time reading.

Photo - inside 707 on the way to R and R. Noticed the overhead bins.

19 August 1970

2010-08-19T16:15:00.001-05:00

Wednesday night
19 August 1970

60 MORE DAYS!

Actually it is now 1230 am Thursday morning. I just got back from a TPQ, which was a fiasco!! We flew 100 miles up the coast, nearly to the DMZ and when we got there the controlling people on the ground said they couldn’t work us. So we turned around and flew all the way back to Chu Lai and dropped our bombs west of Chu Lai. Well, something was wrong with our ordnance jettisoning system, so we only dropped 3 bombs on the target! And we were carrying 12 bombs. So we really wasted the whole mission - but I still get a combat mission for it. I also flew a CAS mission this afternoon and destroyed five bunkers. So I now have 185 missions.

I got a letter today which I wasn’t expecting! Since I got mail yesterday, I figured I’d get mail tomorrow! Ha.

One thing I’m looking forward to when I get home is good char coaled hamburgers and steaks!

I weighed today - and I’m about 158 pounds! I was really surprised because I seem to be eating more and have a larger appetite. That must be because of the few exercises I do. I do 30 pushups each morning and each night plus some other exercises.

I don’t have anything tomorrow until 1815 when I have a brief for a night BARCAP. So - I’ll get to sleep most of the day to make up for this sleep I’m losing right now. If I go to bed right now I might get to sleep in an hour - but I doubt it. I wonder more and more if I might be getting insomnia! I sleep so poorly when I do get to sleep that I don’t really get any rest.

Photo - on the grounds of a historic building in Honolulu, while on R and R

18 August 1970

2010-08-18T15:41:00.000-05:00

Tuesday night
18 August 1970

61 MORE DAYS!

I did, indeed, get two letters today! So I’m busting with pride!

I haven’t flown for two days now! During that time, I’ve had four missions cancelled either because of the weather or because we didn’t have the planes. Things are really grim, flying wise. I suppose I like to fly more than any other RIO in the squadron, because most of the others could care less if we don’t fly much.

The bad weather continues to plague us. We had a severe rainstorm this afternoon which poured several inches. I like rain, but in it’s proper place and time!

The squadron only has 15 more flying days - and 22 days until we’re to leave Chu Lai. I asked about how our mail will be handled, and I was told to just continue to have the mail sent here. When we leave Chu Lai, our mail will automatically be sent to Hawaii from San Francisco.

I have to do a few exercises now - to keep me trim and slim. Ha.

17 August 1970

2010-08-17T15:17:00.000-05:00

Monday night
17 August 1970

62 MORE DAYS!

No mail today - so I’ll be getting two letters tomorrow, I hope.

We’ve really had an abrupt change of weather here at Chu Lai. We’ve had rain for the first time in months. We’re getting close to monsoon season, and I guess this is just the first of it. Rained all last night and this morning, and has been cloudy all day. I hope the real monsoons will hold off until after we leave Chu Lai.

My scheduled hop today was canceled because of the weather. Bad weather is also going to affect our flying from now to the end. However I talked myself into a TPQ tonight at midnight, so that will make up for the hop I missed today.

I’m afraid my diet went right out the window at dinner tonight. We had delicious roast beef and gravy, which I can’t turn down - and very good rolls - which we don’t get often. I managed to refrain from potatoes, milk and dessert. However - we had strawberry shortcake at lunch. Shame on me!! I guess I’ll have to make up for it by eating only 2 meals tomorrow! Ha.

This is one of those “no news days” so I’ll close.

Photo - Stewardess in the galley of the aircraft on the way to R and R. (yep, that's what we called them back then)

16 August 1970

2010-08-16T17:49:00.000-05:00

Sunday night
16 August 1970

9 MORE WEEKS!!

Time is ticking by, slowly but surely! One week has passed since I started the countdown.
I saw a very good movie tonight - the book which I read in the hospital.

My day was as usual - flew one mission - and had ODO for 3 hours - and read some - and will read some more when I go to bed.

Photo - Continental Airlines 707 that flew me to R and R.

15 August 1970

2010-08-15T17:25:00.000-05:00

Saturday night
15 August 1970

64 MORE DAYS!

Tonight we had the best floor show we’ve had since I’ve been here! It was a real fine group with lots of original material and a very good female singer.

After I finished writing last night, I flew two TPQ missions - one at 2130 and one at 0100. I had the operations clerk come and stand the phone watch so I could fly them. Then I had another mission at 0730 this morning. So, I flew a lot and slept little during the night. So after my hop this morning, I went to bed and slept right through lunch ‘til 1630! Then I got up and went to dinner. Because I got those two TPQs, I’ll probably get my 200 missions. However, if I could leave right now for home, I would gladly!! But I have to stay here for a little while yet and the only “goal” I have is getting 200 missions.

I didn’t fly with the skipper today - and he told me tonight that I had “left him in a lurch” - if you know what that means. He said the RIO who flew with him was bad - and that kind of help he didn’t need. Ha. You see - the skipper is not the best pilot in the world, and he makes a lot of mistakes. Here I am being critical - when I should be positive! Seems I shall never change for the good.

Photo - while on R and R, went to visit the Arizona Memorial.

14 August 1970

2010-08-14T11:07:00.000-05:00

Friday night
14 August 1970

65 MORE DAYS!

And - I have less than 1 month left in Vietnam!

I have the all night ODO right now and I just finished writing the flight schedule for tomorrow. I scheduled myself for two missions tomorrow - and I’m wondering who will be the first to complain!

I flew one mission today, which turned out to be a bad one! It was this afternoon and the weather was so bad in the target area that we couldn’t work the target - so we had to TPQ. About the middle of the afternoon severe thunderstorms built up about 1- 15 miles inland - over the mountains. It just happens that all the enemy are in those mountains so that’s where most of our good targets are.

There was a change of word today on who is going to Hawaii with the squadron. It didn’t effect me, but several other guys aren’t very happy. Glenn Monesmith – is due to go home in December - so he was to go back to Hawaii with 122. However the criteria has changed and people with December RTD’s will have to stay in Vietnam with one of the other squadrons. That’s really a blow to the guys effected - because everyone is really looking forward to leaving!

Since I’ve been back from Hawaii - my will power to diet seems to be slipping away! I manage to control myself most of the time - but it’s hard. I’m afraid I’m putting on a little weight because I can’t play handball everyday for exercise. My ankle still hurts if I do anything vigorous. It’s the same foot I hurt in Pensacola, and this injury was much the same as that one in Pensacola.

Photo - another picture from the Luau

13 August 1970

2010-08-13T13:31:00.000-05:00

0630
Thursday
13 August 1970

66 MORE DAYS!!

This will be brief - - because I’m beat and have to get some sleep before my 1030 brief.

I got very little sleep during the night because of my “duties” as the defense platoon commander. I had to check our bunkers on the perimeter twice during the night to insure that the men were awake and alert. The Marines man 15 bunkers on the southern sector of the Chu Lai perimeter. These bunkers are spread out so far that I had to drive from one to the next in a truck. This procedure took about 1 ½ - 2 hours each time.

I flew one mission yesterday. It was a LZ prep mission. We dropped 1,000 pound bombs on a hill to blow away the trees so helicopters could land there with troops.

Thursday night

I flew one mission today. Our target was a suspected enemy base camp. The targets we get these days are so bad we just seem to be wasting time and money dropping bombs on them! We're just marking time until we leave. We have so few airplanes now, that we can only fly about 6-8 missions per day - we used to fly 25 - 30 missions per day. So you see how much we’ve cut back. If the flying doesn’t get better I won’t get my 200 missions. I need 22 missions, and we only have 20 flying days left.

We had a water survival exercise this afternoon at the beach. The purpose of this was to train us for being picked out of the water by a cable lowered from a helicopter. Before I got my turn, the hoist that raises the cable, broke, so we couldn’t finish the exercise.

It’s really amazing how much warmer the ocean is here than at Hawaii. It’s probably at least 10 degrees hotter.

The movie tonight was another of those mediocre offerings we get here so often - so I shall read awhile and retire early. I’m still pretty tired from that duty (and lack of sleep) last night.

Photo - at Luau while on R and R.

11 August 1970

2010-08-11T11:50:00.000-05:00

Tuesday night
11 August 1970

68 Days Left!

I flew two missions today, including one tonight - and still got to see the floor show (such as it was). My mission tonight was a BARCAP off the coast of North Vietnam. Just flying back and forth to keep the Migs from attacking our 7th fleet (fat chance). Anyway, after we took off, my radar went bad - so the spare airplane (Russ Fyke) had to take off and replace us. So I got back in time for the show. Russ really wanted to go to the show and I didn’t really care one way or the other. I only need 24 more missions.

Tomorrow night I have all-night defense platoon duty. Means I have to stay up all night checking our defense positions - making sure all the men are awake, alert, etc. not very exciting - and very tiring - so I hear. I’ve never had this duty before. Then the next night I have all night ODO. I don’t mind these duties to much, for they help pass the time.

I spent 30 minutes in the sun today. I figure just a little bit each day will be good. The sun is so hot here that I can’t stand to stay out much longer than 30 minutes.

I would like very much some bean dip and Doritos or Fritos!!! I prefer several small cans instead of the large cans. It’s hard to keep left-over bean dip fresh.

Photo - Enjoyed the surf of Oahu on R and R.

10 August 1970

2010-08-10T17:33:00.000-05:00

Monday night
10 August 1970

Only 69 days!!

Today was a good one ( if there is such a thing here)! I got two hops which pleased me much. I should get three missions tomorrow, so I’ll probably be able to get my 200 missions. (If I don’t get sick)

The movie tonight was no good, so I’ll go to bed early tonight. I’m flying late tomorrow night, so I’ll “catch up” on the sleep tonight! Ha.

We’re having a floor show tomorrow night, but I’ll be flying at the time. I scheduled myself for that mission, because I figured the floor show would probably be as bad as usual! Seems like the longer I’m here, the worse the floor shows are. Most of the bands that perform play the same, with very little originality.

I remembered today that I hadn’t collected my per diem pay for that trip to Udorn - so I went over to disbursing and got paid $23.00! I wish I could get more good deals like that! Of course the $23.00 didn’t come near paying for that trip - but it helps.

Photo - hanging out at poolside during R and R.

9 August 1970

2010-08-09T16:51:00.000-05:00

Sunday
9 August 1970

I’m sitting in the airport at Danang waiting for my flight to Chu Lai. I had to spend last night here in Danang. After getting back to Danang it seemed unbelievable that I had just spent a week in Hawaii! It seemed like a pleasant dream, and I was just waking up!!

I didn’t realize how much I liked the new clothes I bought in Hawaii, until I got back here and had to put on my awful jungle utilities. Man what a change. I’ll be glad when I can wear fashionable clothes all the time and never have to wear a uniform.

I’m anxious to get back to Chu Lai because I have a monthly report due tomorrow and I just know no one’s started it! I suppose that’s my negative attitude! Ha. Also I’m eager to learn if there has been any change of plans about going to Hawaii in September.

It’s just to much to hope that the Marine Corps would let me go home in September instead of staying in Hawaii for that last month, but I’m still hoping.

Sunday night

I got to Chu Lai at noon today. And there was no new word about our leaving Vietnam. Still the same plans.

I had one letter here, and it had been in that plane crash!!!! It’s been wet, and the ink is all smeared - but I could still read it. The envelope is all messed up and had come open, of course, but it had been sealed back with a special seal and has a stamp on it saying damaged in aircraft accident on 27 Jul 70. I’m going to keep this letter as a souvenir - because it’s not everyday I get a letter that’s been in a plane crash.

The squadron is flying very little now - so I may not be able to get 200 missions. It won’t be the end of the world if I don’t - but it would be nice. Since we’re going back to Hawaii, we’re giving our good planes to the other squadrons in exchange for their bad planes. Kind of encouraging that we’ll be flying the worst planes in Vietnam all the way to Hawaii!!!

Just as I thought - that report that is due tomorrow - was far from ready! So I had to work on that this afternoon. I also wrote the flight schedule for tomorrow - and still had time to go to the movie tonight (Midnight Cowboy). It was a weird movie - but very good all the same.

Only 70 days until I get to go home!! Maybe less...(I hope). I just hope these ten weeks don’t pass as slowly as did the ten at platoon leaders class.

Photo - Poolside at the Ilikai Hotel, Oahu, Hawaii

26 July 1970

2010-07-26T16:38:00.000-05:00

Sunday
26 July 1970

I’m on the all night hot pad tonight - and we got scrambled after dark - which is very unusual. We dropped bombs and napalm, after dark, on a place where enemy had been sighted just before dark. So I got two hops today.

Tomorrow I’ve got to get my shots for R&R. I think I’ll probably have to get a couple of shots and a PPD (T.B. test). Needless to say I’m not looking forward to these shots. I’ve become so neurotic about shots that every time I get a shot, I break out in a cold sweat and feel like I’m going to pass out. Bad, eh!

25 July 1970

2010-07-25T16:25:00.000-05:00

Saturday
25 July 1970

Today has been so long and tiring, that I’m more tired than I’ve been in a long time!! I was woken up this morning at 0130 for a TPQ. Then I had the morning hot pad and was scrambled two times. Then I had ODO this afternoon, and then I had to write the schedule after dinner. So - I’m pooped. And I have to get up at 0500 tomorrow to go back on the hot pad.

I didn’t get any mail today, but I got three letters yesterday.

We had a very good dinner tonight. Saturday is normally the night we have steak - but tonight they served “steamboat round.” Very good roast beef. One of our squadrons is leaving tomorrow for Danang so the group was having sort of a farewell party. The squadron that is moving is an A-4 squadron and no one from the F-4 squadrons really care that they’re leaving. Ha.

One week from today will be in Hawaii!!! I can hardly sleep at night for thinking about R&R. I just don’t know how I ever managed to put it off this long. Now I know how people feel when they’re all pepped up for R&R and it gets put off for some reason. If something happened now to cancel R&R I think I might go crazy! I’m almost counting the hours!!!

24 July 1970

2010-07-24T17:32:00.000-05:00

Friday
24 July 1970

Today I got 3 letters and some pictures. I haven’t received any kind of confirmation, yet, on hotel reservations. Perhaps I will soon.

Regardless of that, I probably won’t be able to get the reservations extended to cover the 31st of July at this late date. But that is not problem!

I flew only once today - and that mission was to that fire support base I wrote about yesterday. Only this time, there were no Americans there - they had all been pulled out and our target was the base itself. Apparently the army had evacuated in a hurry and had left some supplies behind and they wanted us to destroy those supplies. I suppose you could call that operation a small victory for the enemy.

23 July 1970

2010-07-23T17:30:00.000-05:00

Thursday
23 July 1970

Nine days from now will be in Hawaii! That’s a week from Sunday. It’s really hard to believe that after such a long time, it’s just a few days from now!

I got another can of cookies today. I sure do appreciate it.

I was on the hot pad this morning, and got scrambled twice. Both times we went to the same place. The army has a fire support base that is surrounded and in a lot trouble - so they’ve been running air strikes constantly. I flew a mission there yesterday and the two today. I’ve developed sort of a personal interest in that place by now. Most of the people in our squadron have flown in support of that base and everyone is talking about it.

I’m reading a very good book right now - The Fixer. I saw the movie some time ago. The book won the Pulitzer Prize and is quite good.

Marv Stacy from 513 checked in here today. Even while we’re planning to pull troops out of Vietnam, they’re still sending new people over. It’s so ridiculous I can’t even believe it!! Of course that’s the way it was when I came over. Sure looks like this mess could last another few years, at the present rate.

I went to the movie tonight for the first time since before I got sick. It was “Gaily, Gaily” - and was very entertaining. We had the usual trouble with the projector - or rather the projectionist! After 9 months of this type movie going, it’ll sure be great to go to a decent movie house. Perhaps will do that one evening while in Hawaii.

There are many things I really miss - driving, good hamburgers, bottled cokes and Dr. Peppers, malts, etc, etc, etc,.

21 July 1970

2010-07-21T16:42:00.000-05:00

Tuesday
21 July 1970

I have the all night ODO tonight, so I’m just relaxing and reading a good book. There is nothing for me to do tonight except answer the phone. You see, we have no missions at night anymore, unless we’re on the hot pad. We used to fly at night all the time, back in December - Feb but that’s when we were bombing in Laos.

We go on the hot pad tomorrow, so the next 5 days will be bad - as always when we have the pad.

I’m feeling remarkably well, despite the 5 days I was sick. I don’t even feel weak. I didn’t eat much during those days, so I lost some weight, but I didn’t have any G.I. tract problems, so I wasn’t weakened as normal from sickness.

I now weigh a trim 160 pounds. I’m unable to shed those love handles, however, - I guess they’re just to firmly attached to my waist.

20 July 1970

2010-07-20T16:59:00.000-05:00

Monday
20 July 1970

I’m out of the hospital! I was discharged this morning, early. My temperature had been down to normal all night, so I guess the doctor figured it was a good time to get me out of his hair! Ha.

They never did figure out what was wrong with me, and they did absolutely nothing to cure my illness. I just got well by myself. So, you see, I could have just stayed in my quarters for those three days and just sweat it out.

Of course - if it had been malaria - well!

Life over here is just hour by hour because you never know what’ll happen to upset your plans. Just like my getting sick almost upset R&R - and I could get sick again, I hope not!

I’m not flying tomorrow because I want to make sure I’m well. Instead, I’ll stand ODO, and just rest some more, and then start flying the next day. Although I’m unhappy with the war, I do see the reason we’re here. I just don’t agree with the way it’s being fought.

Sounds as if you really enjoyed your trip to Oklahoma and you sure got to see a lot of people. I suppose we will go up through there on our way to Cherry Point. I suppose you’ve already figured out by now that my squadron was not the one which went to Japan. That squadron was a reconnaissance squadron with special F-4’s and A-6’s.

19 July 1970

2010-07-19T17:06:00.000-05:00

Sunday
19 July 1970

I’m going into my third night in the hospital - and my “friends” at the squadron haven’t been over since the first day - so I haven’t had any mail for 3 days. I also haven’t had a chance to do anything about the R&R orders.

My doctor told me today that if my temperature continues to stay down, he’ll probably discharge me tomorrow. I think he’s finally decided I don’t have malaria, but he doesn’t know what I do have. My temperature hovers between 99 and 100. Actually, I’d be relieved if they would find I have malaria and then we could get on with curing it. I suppose he’ll give me some antibiotic to try to take care of what I have.

Actually, malaria is not that serious a disease, as I see it, and I would have a good excuse for not ever giving blood. Ha. At any rate, I hope I’m out of this place by tomorrow night.

Things haven’t been so bad since they stopped taking blood samples. I haven’t been “stuck” since yesterday morning.

All I think about is R&R!!! I was scared silly when I got sick fearing that I wouldn’t get well in time. Although I’m not “well” yet, things look much brighter than a few days ago!

18 July 1970

2010-07-18T18:17:00.000-05:00

18 July 1970
Saturday

I have before me my R&R orders. The only thing they are lacking is my C.O.’s signature. I hope to get this taken care of tomorrow.

I’m in the hospital right now, so I’m not getting around to freely! Ha. Right now they think I might have malaria. Back to the beginning.

The day after I sprained my ankle, I began running a high fever and having cold chills and a bad headache. After two days of that, I went to the doctor (yesterday) and he couldn’t find out what was causing it. So he sent me over to the U.S. Army’s 27th Surgical Hospital here at Chu Lai, and they immediately admitted me as a FUO (fever unknown origin). For the first 24 hours they took blood samples every FOUR hours - and you know how I am about needles.

Well, my fever is staying down now, I have virtually no cold chills, and my headache is gone. In fact I feel well enough to leave. But, the doctor is to stubborn. He wants to watch me some more. So I’m about to spend my second night here. At least the blood tests have stopped (unless my temp gets out of hand again). The ward is air conditioned and is kept quite cool as practically everyone in here has malaria and are running high fevers.

This should not effect my R&R. Even if I do have malaria, it can be cured in 5 - 10 days easy.

They are taking my temperature right now.

Someone from the squadron should be over tonight to bring my mail, and I’ll have them see that the R&R orders get mailed off right away.

Well my temp was 100.2. It’s really frustrating that we don’t know what’s causing it. There are so many types of fever over here, and new ones turn up all the time. I hope this isn’t one! Ha.

Photo - Officers shower/toilet facility.

16 July 1970

2010-07-16T17:17:00.000-05:00

Thursday
16 July 1970

I didn’t write anything last night because I was really feeling bad from my ankle which I badly sprained while playing handball.

I got two cans of cookies today!

I can’t think of a thing to write! I haven’t flown for two days, and haven’t done anything else that matters.

I still haven’t got my R&R orders. They are sent down from Group, and aren’t ready yet.

I got a check today for $1000. I’m going to open a checking account at the American Express Bank we have here at Chu Lai. As much as I hate that company, that’ll be the best way to have the money for R&R.

Photos - Udorn, Thailand

13 July 1970

2010-07-13T17:13:00.000-05:00

Monday
13 July 1970

My R&R is approved!! I’ll be arriving in Hawaii about noon on 1 August. I don’t have the orders yet, but I’ll be getting them in a few days. I’ll send off the hotel reservation request tomorrow.

All signs indicate that I will return to Hawaii sometime in late September where I’ll finish my 12 months.

I’ve already drawn $1,000 for R&R. I still have $75.00 on the books, and that’s through the 15th of this month. So I can probably save $600 by the time I leave Vietnam.

Today was another typical day. I flew one mission today and we bombed some enemy bunkers. I guess about 80% of our targets are bunkers. You’d think that sooner or later we would destroy all those bunkers.

Photos from Udorn, Thailand

12 July 1970

2010-07-07T17:30:00.000-05:00

Sunday
12 July 1970

Just a note tonight because I’m so tired I’m just going to collapse into bed.

I flew two hops today, the second one was also a four plane fly over during the change of command ceremony. Every one who saw it said it was just great. Of the eight people in the four planes, six were lieutenants and two were captains. Usually the Majors and Lt. Cols fly these fly overs. So we were all very proud it was so good.

I still don’t have my orders for R&R. But they should be here in the next 3 or 4 days.

Photos taken in Udorn, Thailand

11 July 1970

2010-07-07T17:25:00.000-05:00

Saturday
11 July 1970

I have the duty tonight, and have been playing cards for the past four plus hours!

Tomorrow we’re having a change of command ceremony. Our present CO., whom I’ve liked more than any CO I’ve ever had, is going to Wing Headquarters, and our present XO, (A Major) is going to become the CO. He is my assigned pilot, so I get to fly more than any other RIO, because the he flies every day.

I’m scheduled to fly two missions tomorrow. I only flew once today, but didn’t mind.

I’ve learned to play Pinochle, a very interesting game. It’s not a difficult game, but is sort of fun. I guess I’ve learned how to play every kind of card game there is - except poker - since I’ve been over here. What a great accomplishment!

I got cookies today, and they are already gone! I shared them with the guys on the hot pad tonight. The cookies were a little dry because they took so long getting here - but VERY good all the same!!

My present roommate, Eric Rooth, is leaving for the world tomorrow. So he started celebrating last night by getting very drunk. He brought some of his drunk buddies to our room where they proceeded to make a shambles of the place. You just wouldn’t believe how wild people get when they are going home. Eric kicked a hole in the wall, someone else threw a glass against the wall, Eric threw one of his cameras on the floor and stomped it into pieces. Then they decided to try to turn over the wall lockers. Fortunately they didn’t succeed. Then they threw beer on everyone, then began a sword duel with some Thai swords Eric has. After this they tried sticking the swords in the wall, and ruined one of the swords. During all the shuffle, several of the guys cut themselves, so Eric wrote his personal call sign, “Hawk”, on the wall in blood, in large bold letters.

I can’t decide if I should try to clean up the room after he leaves tomorrow, or just move out! Ha.

Photos taken in Udorn, Thailand

7 July 1970

2010-07-07T17:19:00.000-05:00

Tuesday
7 July 1970

Today has been a typical day on the hot pad. Long - boring - but still got two hops. Of course I didn’t do anything else all day.

The movie tonight is one I’ve already seen (over here) and is not worth seeing again - I’ll spend the evening reading, I guess.

Haven’t played handball today, but am to tired for that now.

Can hardly wait for R&R. Although I’ve waited 9 months - I’m very impatient now! Ha. It’s only a little over 3 weeks away!

I enjoyed my three day trip to Thailand, and saw a few sights of interest. I took a number of pictures of a Buddhist monastery and church - hope they turn out good. I bought that watch my brother wanted. He should have received it by now. He can consider it a gift from me, for all the help that he has given you guys. I can’t seem to spell my words very well tonight. I’m a bit tired, but didn’t realize that tired.

We are not flying any missions in Cambodia, so you won’t need to worry about me getting shot down there. About 99 percent of our missions are flown right here in I corps. I got the letter without the stamp but didn’t have to pay any for it. Thanks for the pictures. They are very good and I see that everyone is looking well.

I now have National Defense medal, Vietnamese Service Medal, Vietnamese Campaign Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, (no medal) and nine Air Medals.

Photos take in Udorn, Thailand

6 July 1970

2010-07-06T17:20:00.000-05:00

Monday
6 July 1970

John Haynes has just given me some booklets about R&R.

I flew two missions today, and am to be on the hot pad all day tomorrow.

We’re having a “party” right now in my room. My roommate popped some popcorn, and someone else brought some tuna, and sodas, so we’re enjoying ourselves (sort of). Of course I’m having trouble writing this.

I am very anxious to get my orders for R&R.

Photos taken in Udorn, Thailand

27 June 1970

2010-06-27T15:38:00.000-05:00

Saturday
27 June 1970

I’ve been just awful about writing you! Sorry. I’m afraid I can’t even remember the last letter I wrote you.

I’m going over to Udorn, Thailand day after tomorrow for about four days. The reason I’m going is to learn about ABCCC (Airborne Combat Control Centers). Kind of an orientation deal to let you know what other people are doing in the war. Actually, it’s a “good deal” - a free trip out of country for a little R and R. I’m getting to go because I haven’t been out of S. Vietnam for five months!

While I’m over at Udorn, I’ll buy that watch my brother has been wanting.

I have received my orders back to the world. We’ll be going back to Cherry Point - to my chagrin. I don’t really mind going to Cherry Point - it’s just that I had my heart set on going to Glynco. I suppose I’ll be in the squadron there that teaches new pilots how to fly F-4s.

I’ve had a long past 24 hours. I was on the hot pad for 12 hours, then had the duty for 12 hours. I was relieved of the duty this morning at 0600. I guess the squadron figures I need to catch up for los time! Ha!

Our commanding officer is quite candid about the fact that he thinks 122 will be pulled out of Vietnam during this coming withdrawal. However, we have no idea when, or where to.

The air conditioning is really great here!! You just don’t know how much something is appreciated until it’s done without for awhile.

25 June 1970

2010-06-25T16:36:00.000-05:00

Thursday
25 June 1970

We had a real fine floor show tonight - for once. A real good group that didn’t have all the usual songs, dancers, etc. The leader was a Negro comedian and was very funny. The group played a good many old favorite tunes - not the rock and roll trash we usually get.

I’ve a long day tomorrow as I’m scheduled to have hot pad or duty for 24 straight hours. Sounds like the old days!

I should be getting my orders within the next month - so I don’t have long to wait before I know. The captain selection board meets the 6th of Oct for 4 weeks. So I won’t know for sure if I’m promoted until Nov. But I should be a shoo in.

Photo - Kurt Wilbrecht sitting in aircraft during hot refuel.

23 June 1970

2010-06-23T15:40:00.000-05:00

Tuesday
23 June 1970

Now that I’m back at Chu Lai, I’ll try to write something everyday - like before. I have returned to normal activity - flew twice today - just like the old days - and will probably fly twice tomorrow.

I’m reading a real good book about a fighter pilot in WWII (a novel). It is written in a very sarcastic manner and points out all the absurdities of the way the military did things. That’s the kind of book I would like to write about my experiences with the grunts!! I really wish I did have the ability to write, because there is so much I would like to say about the “system”.

I told the P.X. officer about the slide projector and he said he would be glad to replace it! Of course that’s not very feasible now. I just wanted him to be aware of what happened.

It’s really strange how I’m so glad to be back here! No matter how bad it is here - it’s not as bad as it was there!!!!

Top photo - School
Bottom photo - Government building

22 June 1970

2010-06-22T16:58:00.000-05:00

Monday
22 June 1970

I am now back in good Chu Lai! Almost like coming home - but not quite! I got in at 1700 yesterday and haven’t flown yet. I might get a hop tonight - but I doubt it. I applied for R&R for 1 Aug. I should know by the 15th of July the exact date. I also went to disbursing and got a little pay because I was broke! I now have $935 saved - through the 15th of this month. Add to that $160 for the rest of the month and I hope to save another $300 in July - adds up to about $1400 by R&R time!! Not bad. That’ll be enough to cover the cost of R&R.

I haven’t mentioned it, but Kurt Wilbrecht is dead. He crashed on a mission and they think he was shot down. The RIO got out O.K. He ejected AFTER the plane hit the ground so he is very lucky!! The RIO said he felt two “thuds” before hitting the ground and Kurt never said anything after that - so they figure he must have been hit by ground fire. I’ll say - I was really depressed. He is the second of my pilots to be killed - and also the second of my roommates. I’m a jinx!!

Lex Mitchel, who was in 513 when I was there, crashed here at Chu Lai, but got out O.K. This group has lost seven aircraft in the last two months - which is a startling figure. So I don’t know if it’s safer to be back here! Ha.

39 days ‘til R&R! And 118 days ‘til RTD (return date). My RTD is 19 Oct of course.

People have been getting orders to a lot of different places - but there is one - Yuma - that is new. VMFAT-101 is at Yuma. It’s the same as 201 at Cherry Point. So it’s just possible I might get orders to there. I hope not though because it’s not the best place in the world.

Well, I have to get to work on my NATOPS test.

Photo - flooded rice paddies

20 June 1970

2010-06-20T15:48:00.000-05:00

Saturday
20 June 1970

My replacement is here!!! He showed up yesterday afternoon. He is a guy from my squadron, so I knew him at Chu Lai.

I’ll be leaving Baldy tomorrow morning - provided nothing drastic happens to stop me!!

The first thing I’m going to do when I get back to Chu Lai is apply for R&R. I haven’t done so yet - but there should be no problems.

It’s pouring rain right now. The rain has been getting heavier and more frequent lately, especially in afternoons. The good thing is that it cools off the night - makes real good sleeping.

I should get a plaque from the battalion this afternoon at the daily briefing. I say the battalion is giving it to me - but actually I bought it for $5! It’s a real nice plaque and although I’ve been unhappy here - someday I’ll have pleasant memories and bad will have faded away.

I haven’t done anything at all today as the new ALO is taking care of everything. You’ll never believe how happy I was to see my replacement! I don’t think I had smiled that much since I’ve been here!

Photos - Buddha pagoda along the highway.

18 June 1970

2010-06-18T13:59:00.001-05:00

Thursday
18 June 1970

Today was pretty much a usual day. Hot, long, boring. My replacement still has not come - so I called division this morning. They said they didn’t know who or when my replacement will be here - but that he should come 5 days before I leave - which would have been day before yesterday - as I’m leaving Sunday.

I mailed a roll of film off today for development, and have started on a new roll. I’m taking color prints instead of color slides this roll. The roll was give to me by a friend here.

You know, I didn’t even know when Father’s Day was. That’s how out of touch I am with the real world. Over here we just seem to be living in a nightmare world - losing track of time and events. I forget many things.

Enclosed are some news clippings. I took a picture of that market place which is shown in the picture, several days before the attack. Also - when I was at the village the day after the attack, I saw the dwarf that the other article is about. He walked by me as I was taking pictures of the damage. I remember him distinctly because it was s odd to see a Vietnamese dwarf. I don’t suppose there were more than this one in the village.

I heard something very disturbing about the attack on the village. Some Marines claim they heard the mortars being fired about 400 meters from their night position - and also heard voices. But they didn’t report it at the time!!! I don’t know if they were afraid, or to lazy. I just couldn’t believe it.

We have a real problem with our young Marines over here doing dumb things. Last night a Marine woke up in the night saw someone moving about 25 meters away and opened fire (after he was told not to) with his M-16 rifle. Result - 2 Marines dead - one dying!! You see - he shot some members of his own unit. This is not the first time - in fact I think it’s the third time in about the past month something like this has happened. Then this morning that same unit tripped a booby trap - killing one Marine and wounding two. Six casualties because of carelessness. I think we lose more this way than to the enemy.

Top photo - shop alone the roadway

Bottom photo - market square

17 June 1970

2010-06-17T16:51:00.001-05:00

Wednesday
17 June 1970

My replacement hasn’t shown up, yet. If he doesn’t get here today I’m going to start worrying. I intend to leave Sunday - but they probably won’t let me go if my replacement isn’t here. In fact I know they won’t.

I mentioned a couple of days ago that things seemed to be all screwed up - but all is well now. I finally found out that the Regiment was making all the mistakes, were blaming them on me! It always works that way with the Marines - pass the blame down to the next man!

(following is from diary)

Have four days left here! Having trouble with Mad Hatter again - they can’t seem to get it together down there. The operators aren’t passing info along.

Bravo company has really become awful. They are killing, it seems, almost indiscriminately anything that moves. Also, Bravo six has become quite a hard ass - gives his people a bad time.

Charlie six has not gotten any better - worse in fact. His company is falling apart. Gunny Perez killed by booby trap.

Link to Vietnam Memorial Wall for Gunny Perez.

http://thewall-usa.com/info.asp?recid=40149Photos - more photos of damage caused to village by rocket attack by the viet cong.

15 June 1970

2010-06-15T17:28:00.000-05:00

Monday
15 June 1970

Life here continues the same - screwed up! The past two days every thing has gone wrong. Seems like everything fell apart when Ron left, and I spend all my time running in circles trying to put it all back together again. I don’t think it’s me that’s causing it. Ha.

The new air officer went to the bush today for a few days to see how the grunts really live. He’ll be coming back in to take over when I leave. I’m still looking for MY replacement. He should be here tomorrow - I hope - and I hope to leave here Sunday. I’ll say one thing, I won’t be a bit sad to see the last of this place!!!!

We haven’t had much activity the past couple of days. We’re still chasing intelligent reports of enemy locations in our AO. Mostly we’re trying to find the VC that attacked that village a few days ago. Apparently, Washington is interested in that episode and intends to use it at the Paris Peace Conference as an example of the atrocities being perpetrated by the VC. I understand some photographers took a lot of photos to be sent to Paris for that purpose.

We’ve had a lot of rain the past three days. It’s almost like the monsoon season. It’s been raining almost constantly, with heavy downpours at times.

I’m getting information about R&R in Hawaii. Seems that I can write the R&R center at Fort Derussey, Hawaii, and make reservations for a hotel. The new air officer said he spent less than $1,000 on R&R in Hawaii. And that included his wife’s ticket, hotel room at $24 per day, a rental car everyday, and all the liquor he drank for 6 days.

Let’s see - 46 days until R&R - and 125 days ‘til 18 Oct!! Seems like R&R is just around the corner!!!!!

Top photo - Vietnamese salvaging goods from bombed out shops

Bottom photo - Vietnamese boy standing in front of bombed out shops

1st Lt. Kurt Michael Wilbrecht, USMCR, KIA 7 June 1970

2010-06-07T16:00:00.005-05:00

1st Lt. Kurt Michael Wilbrecht, USMCR, KIA in Vietnam 7 June 1970

Kurt Michael Wilbrecht was born 14 February 1944 and died on 7 June 1970, at the age of 26, when he was killed in action in Quang Nam Province, South Vietnam. His remains were not recovered.

Kurt was flying a close air support mission when he failed to pull out of a low angle, low level bombing run. It is believed that his aircraft was struck by enemy ground fire rendering him incapacitated.

His RIO, 1st Lt. William T. Pepper ejected just as the aircraft struck the tree tips and was safely recovered. He reported that he felt two “thuds” before he ejected, and that Kurt said nothing after that.

Kurt was the second of my assigned pilots and the second of my roommates to be killed in Vietnam.

Kurt had been my roommate briefly when he first joined the squadron. He became my assigned pilot after my then pilot and roommate, 1st Lt. Michael Breeding, was killed on 12 February 1970. Kurt was my pilot on my 100th mission on 18 February 1970.

At the time Kurt’s death I was on assignment as a Forward Air Control Officer with 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment.

Photos from top to bottom.
1. Ramsey High School, Class of 1962
2. Kurt Wilbrecht
3. Me and Kurt celebrating my 100th combat mission on 18 February 1970.
4. Kurt and William Pepper, upper right corner, in the ready room of the hot pad at Chu Lai air base.
5.1st Lt. Michael Breeding, KIA 12 February 1970

6. DC 08 - the aircraft that Kurt was flying when he died. I had flown 17 missions in that very plane.
7. William Pepper with his wife and child after we returned to "the world." I understand he has since passed away.

“But thy eternal summer shall not fade
So long as men can breathe, or eyes can see,
So long lives this, and this gives life to thee.”

William Shakespeare Sonnet 18

Link to Vietnam Memorial Wall

http://thewall-usa.com/info.asp?recid=55992

6 June 1970

2010-06-06T12:51:00.000-05:00

6 June 1970
(from diary)

I’m destined to have trouble with enlisted men!! The mortar forward observer is so hard to work with because he is unwilling to even suspect he might be wrong. He even had the nerve to tell me I was wrong. I know why he’s only a lance corporal.

Very hot right now. Am waiting for my flight of air to check in on station. Am not to pleased with my target, but am going through with it.

5 June 1970

2010-06-05T17:00:00.000-05:00

5 June 1970
(from diary)

Got a good letter from my brother today.

Went to CUPP 9 today for the class. They showed some interest - about what I expect - so am not disappointed.

Have requested some air for tomorrow to be controlled by me. Hope I get it. Went swimming at the bridge at A-1. Very refreshing.

The market place was really busy. People buying fish, food, etc. Smelled like typical fish market.

Going crazy for mail

4 June 1970

2010-06-04T14:57:00.000-05:00

4 June 1970
(from diary)

Have just given my first class to CUPP 6. Didn’t last very long and was of dubious value as troops didn’t seem too interested. An E-4 is the squad leader. The squad has it’s daytime position in two houses here. The people are extremely friendly. One woman is nursing a small girl who looks about two and a half to 3 years old.

They have an ingenious device to filter their well water, as the water is very dirty.

Am just killing time before going back to Baldy. I like being out in the bush with the troops and people - but I don’t like to stay out here! Ha.

The surrounding rice paddies are flooded with water, and have already been filled with new rice stalks. Seems only a few weeks ago that they were harvesting the last crops of rice.

The family here is eating their noon meal. It’s interesting to watch the small kids using chop sticks. They eat better with chop sticks than my own kids eat with spoons!!

(Read about CUPP here)

http://ehistory.osu.edu/vietnam/books/vietnamization/0153.cfm

1 June 1970

2010-06-01T15:39:00.000-05:00

1 June 1970
(from diary)

My radio operator gave me some lip this morning. He had left his post to go to chow. While he was gone, a medevac was called for, and I was called up to the COC to take care of it. I told the young man that I wanted the post manned at all times. He told me he had to go eat. I have been generally appalled at the number of disciplinary problems with the grunts. In three months I’ve seen more screwed up enlisted men than I’ve ever seen in the wing!!!

Frank and I were discussing the sad state of the leadership in Delta company. That CO has lost about 12 people since he took over the company. I have not been impressed by the officers in the division. For the most part they are ignorant, and overbearing. They, to a man, have an exalted view of themselves - that they are superior. Of course they think the same of the zoomies!

I’m tired of hearing people complain about the support they receive from the wing. Grunts refuse to realize that the wing has the same supply system.

This war sucks!!!

31 May 1970

2010-05-31T12:19:00.000-05:00

31 May 1970
(from diary)

Today I observed the influence of politics! One of the sergeants was to go to Danang to meet the mayor of his hometown, Macon, Ga. Well ---the General’s chopper came down to pick him up!! But no one could find the sergeant. After a good deal of screaming by colonels, majors and lieutenants, it was determined that the sergeant had got on the wrong helicopter and was on his way to Danang! Well, this flabbergasted the heavies who couldn’t understand how anyone could be so dumb.

However, it seemed perfectly logical to me. The poor guy had been told to get down to the VIP pad because the chopper was there waiting for him. So he went there and got on the only chopper that was running!!

Well, Ron finally got in touch with that chopper and told it to take our lost boy to LZ 400 in Danang. He got there, probably completely oblivious to all the trouble he had caused.

I have to go back to the bush because Ron is afraid to go to the bush!!!! He says he doesn’t want to risk getting hurt this close to his R and R. I really feel for him! Ha. He has skated this whole tour. But, he’s a pilot and I’m only a RIO. Besides, he is six months senior.

30 May 1970

2010-05-30T15:29:00.000-05:00

Saturday
30 May 1970

Well, another week and month are just about over. Time is beginning to fly by now. I have less than four weeks left with the grunts, and less than five months in Vietnam.

Only 8 weeks ‘til R&R and then 10 weeks after R&R! So just about over this miserable year!

The little operation I went to Danang to brief, was yesterday. We dropped 40 barrels of napalm from a helicopter, attempting to burn out a bamboo thicket. Well - 16 of the barrels landed in the river next to the thicket, and the other 24 missed the thicket to! So the whole business was a big waste of time!! The helicopter pilot got some practice dropping napalm - and I got two free trips to Danang - and it did break the monotony of life.

I expect to go back to the bush in about two days as Ron will be back from R and R. I’ll probably stay out about 11 days - until Ron leaves, then I’ll come back to Baldy for the rest of my tour.

I received a Lubbock newspaper and it had all the pictures and stories about the tornado. That was really some storm. I’m glad we weren’t there.

I guess you all are starting to make preparations for the wedding. Sure wish I could be there for it. Just doesn’t seem possible that kid brother is getting married.

When I get back to the squadron I’ll be the top RIO for a PAR trip to Japan! So maybe I can manage two trips to Japan during the next 5 months!

The temperature here is really becoming hot. Each day the temperature is about 100 degrees in the shade - and this isn’t even the hot season yet! I can imagine I’ll be most uncomfortable for the rest of my FAC tour.

I bought this pen I’m using in Danang the other day - on impulse - and I can’t decide if I like it. It writes so heavy the page looks cluttered!

Chocolate from the world to really great to get. The candy we get in our c-rations has a funny flavor and just doesn’t taste like chocolate.

Photo - A viet cong prisoner, a Korean Marine and one our Marines.

28 May 1970

2010-05-28T17:51:00.000-05:00

28 May 1970
(from diary)

We’re in the process of running an air strike on a target of dubious quality! We are going to throw bombs and napalm on the ground for fun. Oh well - we’ll all get some good practice.

27 May 1970

2010-05-27T15:40:00.000-05:00

Wednesday
27 May 1970

Right now we’re having a thunderstorm of all the ferocity of the South Plains!! I’ve seen nothing like this since I’ve been here. I’m sure glad I’m at Baldy right now. We’re supposed to have a USO show - but it was to be outside - so I don’t know if we’ll have it now.

I went to Danang yesterday - but we didn’t have the brief I went for. Someone had screwed up, and no one knew about the brief. So - I’m going up again tomorrow and try again!

Bravo Co is here, now, for rehab. I’ll probably go back to the bush with them on the first. Ron Boehm is leaving the 13th or next month, so I’ll come back to Baldy for the rest of my tour.

Getting back to Chu Lai will be a great feeling! I’ll never complain again after this 100 days! It’s still raining and thundering just like the storms at Lubbock. One thing good is that in the space of 15 mins - I bet the temp dropped about 15 degrees.

I got a package of candy, Kool-Aid, etc. The candy was all crushed - but still very good.

The mail hasn’t come yet today, but I hope I get some - I look forward to the mail everyday.

2010-05-25T18:38:00.000-05:00

Monday
25 May 1970

We’re just now getting the magazines over here with all the stories and pictures about the Kent State episode. From the way the stories are written - it’s not hard to see why people are upset about those killings. I may be hardened - but I wonder just how objective those stories are.

I got a box of children’s clothes from my Grandma and cousin. Instead of taking them back to Chu Lai, I gave them to the Chaplain here, and he’ll distribute them in the village here at Baldy.

So far I haven’t had any trouble with the Col this time as ALO - and everything is going very smoothly. Tomorrow I have to go to Danang to brief the helicopter people about something we’re going to do day after tomorrow. It’s nothing much and I don’t understand why they need a detailed brief.

24 May 1970

2010-05-24T18:04:00.000-05:00

Sunday
24 May 1970

I said yesterday that I was going to D Co. Well, that operation was canceled - so I came back to Baldy yesterday. I’ll be here until about the 2nd or 3rd of next month. Then I’ll go back to the bush for about 10 days. Then Ron will be ending his time, so I’ll be the ALO until my time is finished here - only one more month.

I haven’t had any mail in a couple of days - and I don’t have any news - so this will be short. I went to the movie last night, and saw “The Fixer”.

While I’m here at Baldy, I’ll be sending out some more slides I have. This batch will be the last, because I’m not taking my camera to the bush anymore. I already have about 100 slides of this place, and I figure that’s plenty!! Ha.

Photo - fellow lieutenant catching some zzzzzs in his cot.

23 May 1970

2010-05-23T17:13:00.000-05:00

Saturday
23 May 1970

I have only one more month with the grunts - then back to Chu Lai! I’m switching to another company today. I’m going over to D Co for an operation they’re having tomorrow. Then - probably day after tomorrow, I’ll go to Baldy to be the ALO for a week.

I have now earned 5 ribbons. National Defense, Vietnamese Service, Vietnamese Campaign, Air Medal, and Combat Action.

I’m still not doing a thing - just killing time ‘til my 100 days is up!

(following is from diary written after the above letter)

Have, this day, returned to Baldy. After dinner, played several games of volleyball! Then saw “The Fixer” at the club. Movie was run as usual with number of frustrating interruptions.

Will become ALO tomorrow and will have to put up with the colonel!

21 May 1970

2010-05-21T18:56:00.000-05:00

Thursday
21 May 1970

Things continue the same here! We’re still on this hill and all I do is eat, sleep, and read! It’s really amazing - the Marine Corps is paying me more than $1,000 per month and I’m not doing a thing for it - except being uncomfortable! Ha. Think I’ll find a civilian job which will do the same?

I’m eating some cream of wheat right now. Yesterday for breakfast I ate oatmeal and fried bacon. We get certain canned meat which we cook. We had pork chops for supper two days ago. I’m not eating with the Viets anymore. I guess I offended them someway! Ha. Probably I wasn’t giving them enough C rations and cigarettes! These people are a pack of thieves and beggars! They come over to our part of the hill and take any food that’s not being watched. Then they ask for food, cigarette, etc. One guy asked me to give him my knife!

This company has a “campaign” to get one kill everyday. To this end the CO has offered an award to any trooper who gets four kills in one month! Sounds sort of like a bounty to me. The CO has only one thing on his mind - for this company to have the most kills this month in the regiment! How sickening to have such a goal.

20 May 1970

2010-05-20T17:46:00.001-05:00

20 May 1970
(from diary)

I’ve fallen from the good grace of the viets. For two meals now I have not been invited to eat with them. I cannot say I’m upset!

This company got four kills last night - which puts us ahead of our goal of one kill per day. The skipper has offered an award of R and R to each man who kills four gooks in one month!

Each squad that kills 12 gooks in a month will get a free R and R! I’m concerned about this. Perhaps it’s all very innocent competitiveness - but perhaps not.

Seems as though we’ll be on this hill for some time yet.

19 May 1970

2010-05-19T16:08:00.000-05:00

Tuesday
19 May 1970

Seven months down and five to go!! It is so hot here I’m soaking with sweat while sitting in the shade. There is no breeze and the humidity is very high. We’re still on Hill 45 and looks like we’ll be here for awhile as we now have some miniature artillery up here with us. We have a recoilless rifle and some mortars - so we’re a small fire support base.

I had trouble getting to sleep last night - so I was thinking about the book I’m going to write some day about all this. I think I shall entitle my book The Longest 100 Days!

I haven’t had a bath in several days - so I smell to high heaven! I think some of us are going down to the water hole this afternoon to bathe.

I’m still eating all my meals with the Vietnamese. They have some curious customs. They only eat two meals a day - one about 1000 and the other about 1800. When the meal is ready to eat, someone comes over and gets me. In return for these favors, I give them C-rations which they cook, and cigarettes.

This morning we had rice, beef steak, onions, and some kind of melon. They drink hot tea with their meals. However - they don’t drink the tea until they’ve finished eating. However they know how Americans like to drink as we eat, so they always pour me a small glass of tea at the beginning of the meal. All the food is placed on the table in small bowls - smaller than, say, a cereal bowl. Then each individual has a small bowl in which he puts his rice and then just helps himself to what ever he wants from the other bowls. It would be kind of like each person, back home, getting his potatoes out of the main bowl with his own spoon, instead of using a large spoon in the potatoes.

Of course the whole meal is eaten with chop sticks. I’ve developed a liking for their food - mainly because of the seasoning they use.

I still have not heard anything more about me going back to Baldy for a week. Tomorrow is the day I was to do so.

I received the pudding and cereal today - yesterday I got two Navy Times. Three cans of the pudding was broken open, but was still fresh - so I ate two cans and gave the third to my hooch mate, our corpsman. He may be an enlisted man - but I’ve found him to be much more educated than any of the grunts. We’ve made a sort of tent with our ponchos to keep out the sun and rain.

18 May 1970

2010-05-18T19:06:00.000-05:00

Monday
18 May 1970

B company CP moved to the top of “hill 45" (45 meters high) where we have a real good observation of our whole area. This hill has been a Vietnamese regional forces camp in the past. I don’t know how long we’ll be here - but I like it.

I was up here about 2 days ago to control an air strike and made friends with the people up here, so they’ve invited me to eat with them each day. Believe it or not - I like rice now - as I do all their food. They do eat some things I can’t stomach - and their hot sauce is pretty hot - but on a whole, I like their food.

The Vietnamese eat such delicacies as fish heads, brains, intestines of chickens and animals - etc. Needless to say - I don’t eat that! Ha.

I don’t know why I’ve come to like rice so much - but I have.

I eat real good with chop sticks now - as I use them every time I eat with the Vietnamese. These people also drink hot tea with their meals - which I’ve also come to like. I may stay on this hill from now on because it has such good observation and I could run air strikes for any of our companies.

I may go back to Baldy in a few days to be the ALO for a week. The regiment’s ALO is going on R&R and Ron will do that job while he is gone. So I would have to go be the Bn. ALO. I don’t know for sure about that yet. I only have 36 days left with the grunts hooray!!!

These Vietnamese on this hill are very friendly, and apparently really like the Marines - but they are worthless as soldiers! They don’t do a thing except sit up here on their butts and watch the Marines fight the war for them. If we left tomorrow they wouldn’t have a chance against the VC.

Photo - one of our Marines playing his harmonica.

17 May 1970

2010-05-17T16:28:00.000-05:00

17 May 1970
Sunday

(from diary)

I’ve just observed some tactical wizardry which defies imagination! The order was given this morning that members of the CP group would move to the tree line 200 meters to the east. We were to take our fighting gear - but could leave all our other gear behind, including tents - because we would be coming back tonight! We must camouflage our tents so the VC won’t know where our exact positions are. We left a squad behind to guard the gear and act as an OP.

Now, the purposes for all this were to keep the VC from knowing we’re going to be staying in the same place for two nights in a row and… to make the colonel think we had moved our position! Now, the colonel is not the most brilliant man in the world - but he is not the dumbest either.

In order to make this move, we had to maneuver around a flooded rice paddy and across a deep stream. Result - total confusion and a classic cluster ____. Everyone yelling - etc.

Gunny’s temper seems to be a little on edge this morning.

16 May 1970

2010-05-16T17:52:00.000-05:00

16 May 1970
(from diary)

Rain! Everyday - all day today - off and on. Looks as though monsoons are here - rats!

Have made brilliant discovery! Traded a can of sardines to Vietnamese RF for can of concentrated milk. Milk is great for making cocoa, or for use in coffee. Will try using in cream of wheat for breakfast tomorrow.

One of our units killed a VC nurse night before last. Seems she was carrying a lot of VC documents - strange how she was walking point.

We are staying in same place for two nights. Because of the rain, we have to erect tents, shelters, etc. will see if we get hit tonight!

Am becoming bored because of lack of contact - action. All in all - life is very good with Bravo Co. Good CO, good gunny - lots of chow and juice - morale among troops appears to be very good. Started reading New Testament.

Saturday
16 May 1970

My stationary is a bit wet as we’ve had rain the past two nights. The rain starts each evening about 1800 - just when we’re moving to our night position - so everything gets wet!

I put up a “tent” using my poncho last night and stayed fairly dry. It’s still cloudy this morning and looks like we’ll be threatened by rain all day. Just something else to make life in bush uncomfortable!

The helicopters are on their way out now so I’ll have to hurry this letter so I can get it out. I controlled a flight of air yesterday afternoon - it was fun - but not especially exciting! Ha.

14 May 1970

2010-05-15T16:48:00.000-05:00

14 May 1970
(from diary)

Am lying in my hammock - bored - have just finished lunch. Am tired of reading, as I read A Dream of Kings all the way through this morning.

If VC knew how lax we are during daylight - he could sneak up on us and wipe us out! We are spread over an area about 200 meters - and are all sleeping or resting. We have a token guard out!?

Kids are bothering me for chop-chop. I gave them some already - but they’re never happy - always want more.

The kids are most fascinating individuals. They are only children - yet the war has already made them adults. One boy says he is 9 - smokes cigs like old man. Another boy says his papasan killed by VC.

14 May 1970

2010-05-14T17:14:00.000-05:00

Thursday
14 May 1970

Back in the “bush”! I’m with B Co again - I came out yesterday morning and things are the same as before.

Well, we’re fixing to move - so I have to pack my gear.

11 May 1970

2010-05-11T17:48:00.000-05:00

Monday
11 May 1970

It is hot here!! I’m in Chu Lai right now. I came down here two days ago and I leave tomorrow to go back to Baldy. I’ve flown twice - once last night and once this morning. The hop this morning was off the hot pad. It sure felt good to get back in the F-4. At the end of the hop this morning, we made a low pass over Baldy - as I had promised some people I would do. The squadron is still the same - except for a few losses and a few additions. They’ve lost no aircraft since I’ve been gone.

Most of the people in the squadron think we might leave country between July 15 and Aug 15 - but who knows! Everyone is just guessing now.

Rick Hines wife had a baby boy born 30 April. 9 lbs 9 ozs. I’m glad this one was o.k. I’ll bet they were really worried.

Everyone here says I look as though being a FAC agrees with me because I’ve lost weight and, so they say, look “more fit”. Also I’ve a good tan on face and arms which makes anyone look better.

I’ve slept in Ken Bonds bed the past two nights. He is gone on R & R! I couldn’t believe it, after he had 3 weeks with his wife in January.

I expect I’ll be going back to the bush with B. Co when I get back. I kind of like being with them.

I only have 5 weeks to go - I hope they go fast.

In one more week, I’ll have 7 months - with 5 to go. Now that we’re over the hill, time should go by much faster.

I got my pay record audited - and I have $600 on the books. This is after I drew some money to buy the slide projector. That $600 includes my back pay. My pay in the future is to be $365.00 per month!

9 May 1970

2010-05-09T16:21:00.000-05:00

9 May 1970

(from diary)

Third platoon was “chicomed” last night. We put illumination out for over one and a half hours. What a comedy - the platoon leader was so screwed up he kept giving ridiculous corrections to get the illum just right before he would start his sweep. Result - one Marine dead, four Marines wounded - 1 VC dead.

Am at LSA now waiting to go to Danang. Everyone blaming everyone else for the death of that one Marine. Cause should be laid on Commanding General! He should be tried for murder. That young Marine would still be alive if the brass wasn’t so damn interested in “body count.”

Photo - illumination

7 May 1970

2010-05-07T17:02:00.000-05:00

7 May 1970
(from diary)

Have joined Bravo Co. Left Suicide Charlie yesterday afternoon and spent last night at Baldy. They thought Baldy would be hit last night and word was passed that everyone would sleep outside in fighting gear! I just might sleep outside on my one night at Baldy!

All the Lts in my hooch ignored that ridiculous order passed by God knows who.

Perhaps I shall be happier at Bravo. The CO is breaking his neck to be friendly - but I just want to be left alone. He is just to pushy.

Vietnamese kids are everywhere! Can’t get rid of them. They want to sit right next to me - massage my back - stir my coffee - do anything that they think will get them some chop-chop. My observation is that they are just like flies! Lt. D says they’re just like locusts. I wouldn’t mind them so much if I didn’t know that all they want is food - and that they are probably VC sympathizers. Very frustrating to know that the people are just as apt to help the VC as the Marines.

I’ve heard some bad things about Bravo. I.e. they have some bad platoon leaders - and they have lost a lot of people killed and wounded. Charlie Co may be fucked up - yet, I guess, much safer -has very few casualties.

Am listening to Lakers - Knicks play off game - Go Lakers.

I have just been joined by one of the “flies”. He is sitting to my left and watching me writing. He stinks. Must be about 10 years old. Will get no chop-chop from me!!!
-------
Kids stole my cigarette lighter!

2010-05-06T17:09:00.000-05:00

Wednesday morning
6 May 1970

I don’t have anything else to do right now, Ha. So I’ll write a letter. We’ve actually been in this same place for two days now - and we’ve had no contact during that time - so things are pretty boring!

The Battalion CO won’t let me go fly until after this “high threat” period is over. Seems the enemy are in their spring offensive.
-------
I just now received word that I’m to return to Baldy this afternoon and go out with B Co for a few days. Don’t know just exactly what all the details are - but something big is going on. Of course this takes care of any plans I had for going to Chu Lai to fly. Oh well!

We captured eight real live Viet Cong about two days ago. A Vietnamese woman told us there were some VC hiding in a bunker, and she led our people to them. These VC were between ages 18 - 45 and were all very healthy, able men. This is the first really confirmed Viet Cong I’ve seen alive. I’ve seen a number of dead ones - not a pretty sight - but you can’t tell much about them because they are all shot up. Most people take pictures of these bodies, but I haven’t! Somehow the act of taking a picture of a body is just to inhumane - or animal - for me to stomach.

I haven’t received any mail since the other day when I got all that mail at once. Perhaps today I’ll get some. Seems like I get my mail in batches - and it’s very depressing to go several days without mail.

This place where we are right now has a small grove of young pine trees which provides a fair amount of shade through the day, which makes life a little more bearable. The heat can be absolutely miserable when there is no shade. Of course we put up our little shelters, but they just keep the sun off - and it’s like sitting in an oven.

I’m simply aghast at all the trouble they’re having with the college students back in the world. I just can’t visualize what really makes those students think the way they do. I must say it’s pretty demoralizing to the troops over here who are seeing their good buddies killed by the enemy - and then to hear about the students who object to our carrying the fight to the enemy - even to going into Cambodia. People in the states are pretty mad about those four students getting killed at Kent State - but people get killed over here every hour of every day. And most of the men getting killed are PFCs and Lance Corporals - mostly ages 18-20.

3 May 1970

2010-05-03T19:50:00.000-05:00

Sunday morning
3 May 1970

It is Sunday morning - another week is beginning! The spring season is here at this time - which means we have hot, stifling hot weather during the day, and during the late afternoon or early evening we have violent thunderstorms. These storms build up over the mountains to the west and then move across the low land to the sea. These storms are just like the spring storms of the Texas Panhandle. The rain is quite cool, which cools the air at night - however, I and everything I have gets soaking wet - which means sleeping in wet clothes!

I have developed a bad prickly heat rash on my back and buttocks. This is caused not only by the heat - but by the lack of bathing plus having to wear the same, sweaty clothes constantly. This company will not let the men take off their shirts during the day to expose the skin to a little sun light - so the rash just gets worse. The company gunnery sgt is responsible for the ridiculous rule of not taking off shirts. His theory is that this keeps people from getting sunburned! Of course this theory is absurd - because after a period of time we would all be tan. This gunnery sgt is really hard on the troops - and as a result, all the men hate him - and morale is low. However he claims he is only interested in keeping the men alive.

Yesterday’s thunderstorm began just as we started to move to our new position for the night. So we walked about a mile in a drenching rain.

We have RFs (regional forces - Vietnamese) working with our company - and they are worthless!!! I can understand why the people might like the VC just as well as they like the government forces. Every Ville we stop in, these RFs kill or take any livestock or food they want. They killed a family’s whole flock of chickens yesterday and ate them. They kill pigs, ducks and I understand they just now killed a cow! All of this without paying the people. Of course we give them c-rations also - but seems that’s not enough. They are also a bunch of beggars! They will come up to me and ask for water, the cigarettes from my c-rations, any extra c-rations I don’t want, etc. Sometimes they help themselves without even asking. All this - and they are an impossible military force. They are more like a boy scout troop on a camp out!! I certainly hope the regular Vietnamese army is better than the regional forces!!

The 6th will be 2 weeks in the bush this time, so I’m going back to Baldy and have the other air officer come to the bush for awhile. I do like the bush better - but with this heat rash, the hot weather, and the daily thunderstorms - it’s just not much fun! Ha. I have been in some good direct enemy contact this time which I really like - but........

1 May 1970

2010-05-01T18:29:00.000-05:00

1 May 1970
TGIF

Another month is behind! For breakfast this morning I had apple & cinnamon flavored oatmeal, and it was delicious! One of our corpsmen said his wife had sent him 80 packs of instant oatmeal! I also understand that instant cream of wheat is quite good for breakfast. I bet you think I never eat c-rations - but I do - every day.

The past two days we’ve spotted approximately 40 gooks (VC) carrying packs and rifles, operating in our area. We’ve tried everything we can to get them, but to no avail. In fact night before last we moved after dark to where they had been seen. Only - they ambushed us, and the whole company was pinned down for about 3 hours. This was at 2100 - 2400. I requested 2 flights of air and received them! Which also required a plane to drop flares. Anyway, I got to control some air in a real emergency type situation - and I had a ball!! We only had two casualties - both minor.

Last night I saw four gooks moving across a rice paddy about 300 yards away. By the time I told some one and we started shooting at them - the gooks were already gone - so we didn’t get any. We know they’re here - but we just can’t actually get them.

There are four places in S. Vietnam that are considered hard core, VC controlled, and we are working in one of those areas! This is the Queson Mountain area, and the VC are really plentiful all around here. Also, most of the “civilians” are considered VC sympathizers - but we can’t do anything about them. We know they feed the VC, hide them, and are probably married to them in some cases. But the women and children are immune from our fire! I suppose that’s only right, because we can’t very well go around shooting women and kids!

I often ask myself - does the average Viet Cong soldier fight the Americans because he is a communist, or because we are here, destroying his villages and crops, killing his friends and in some cases his women! Pillaging his possessions, etc, etc, etc. How would I feel if some foreign army entered the U.S. and proceeded to do the same thing to me? I’d fight back, just to protect my family and home - wouldn’t I?? Anyway, I often wonder just what the real reason is that the VC fight us.

We had a real thunderstorm yesterday afternoon!! Complete with lightening and thunder. These are real rare over here. I saw right away I was going to get wet, so I just stripped down to my shorts, go my bar of soap, and took a shower in the rain!!! Most of the other men wee under their ponchos trying to keep dry - and thought I was crazy - maybe I was - but you have to be a little bit crazy to survive over here!! Ha.

Photos - these photos were taken in a village in the area we bombed after we were ambushed.

30 April 1970

2010-04-30T16:44:00.000-05:00

30 April 1970

It is so hot here - I don’t even believe it - so I know you couldn’t. We’ve been in one place since last night, but will probably move to a new position this afternoon.

Night before last it poured down all night - and I was soaked and cold - all night. And now it’s hot - oh well - can’t always be happy.

Got the package of sardines and newspapers. The sardines are just fine, even though they’re not in olive oil. Any kind of food from the world is most appreciated.

The Combat Action Ribbon is a “grunts” ribbon for being involved in actual combat. Most flyers don’t get this ribbon, so I’m proud to have it - even though it’s kind of dangerous to earn.

Photo - A Marine relaxing in the shade.

29 April 1970

2010-04-29T18:03:00.000-05:00

Wednesday morning
29 April 1970

I finally got some mail! The first in 10 days! The reason it took so long was that the dumb mail clerk was sending my mail to B Co instead of C Co. Anyway - I got 2 letters and 2 packages. Also, a box of slides, the last roll I sent off.

The more I think about Nixon’s speech - the more depressed I become - because he has it set up where he’ll not actually remove troops - but will just stop replacing the ones who leave at the end of their normal time.

There will be some units pulled out as the people become less - which means I might still get out within the next 3 months. If any F-4 squadrons leave, my best bet to go also would be about 2 - 3 months from now. But that is much better than a full 12 months!

Today was 7 days in the bush this time. Makes about a total of 30 days I’ve spent out in the bush - sleeping on the ground - looking at the stars, sweating and cursing through the long hot day - walking ‘til I’m about to drop - for no apparent reason - all for nothing as I’ve only controlled 1 flight of CAS during all this time!!! The Marines do not need FACs in Vietnam.

C Co will probably remain out for about another week, then back to Baldy for rehab. The purpose is to cut down on heat casualties and malaria cases. When people stay out in the bush for extended periods of time, their stamina begins to break down, making them susceptible to illnesses. When C company does go back for rehab, I plan to go to Chu Lai for about three days to do some flying, in fact I’m looking forward to it.

I earned my CAR the other night! It was just about dusk when VC began shooting at us with small arms fire! Bullets could be heard whistling over head and I was “kissing” the ground! I couldn’t even get to my fox hole because the bullets were coming so thick! Fortunately no one was hit. An artillery fire mission was called on the area where the fire was coming from, but by that time the VC had run away. They don’t wait around long, just hit and run, highly mobile and very hard to catch. One of our ambushes did kill six VC. One of the VC had about $20,000 in Vietnamese and American money!!! A big haul. We figured he was probably a pay master, and we got the payroll! This ambush spotted these six VC coming down a trail during the night.

The big shots in the Regiment were really impressed.

Today is really hot! I’m not sure if it’s high temp or high humidity. We’re set up on a low hill where we spent last night. We’ve been here all morning. The sun is glaring down and I sure don’t look forward to having to pack up and move this afternoon. But we will, because we move every day, if only a little way, just to keep the enemy from being able to really attack us. What we fear most is mortar attacks, so that’s why we move each evening. The longer we stay in one place the longer the VC have to set up their mortars and attack us.

My radio operator right now is the from Amarillo. His wife is living there now. He is a Lance Corporal.

This shelter is constructed of four bamboo poles stuck in the ground with a “poncho liner” stretched between them to provide the shade. A poncho liner is a sort of light weight nylon blanket which is ideal for keeping warm on cool nights, or spreading on the ground, or using for shade.

Since I haven’t been to disbursing since I left Chu Lai, I don’t know for sure how much I now have saved, but I estimate about $460. Also I have back pay on this new pay raise which should be about $150 more. I expect the pay raise for me to be about $45 - $50 per month, but am not sure. Then, if I make Capt, this time, I’ll be making a lot of money during my last year in the Corps.

I intend to go to disbursing at Chu Lai, and see just how much money I do have. Also I have a very depressing feeling that I’m being over paid since the first of January. If so, that’ll cut back a little on what I’ve saved. But I’m not sure.

Photo - make shift shelters

25 April 1970

2010-04-25T16:02:00.000-05:00

0630 Saturday
25 April 1970

Just finished my coffee - so will finish this letter. During the night one of our ambush patrols killed 6 VC. That’s an outstanding job - because it’s not often we see that many at one time - much less kill them. The patrol had one of their men injured and we had to call in a medivac to get him. Other than that it was a quiet night for Charlie Co.

I saw 4 falling stars as I was trying to get to sleep and I made the same wish on every one. So maybe they’ll come true!

We’re set up in the sand dunes, and the sand gets in everything. This sand is whiter that the sand at Pensacola, and is very fine - almost like powder - so it clings to everything. Fortunately there is some grass growing in this area, so the sand is not so bad.

I haven’t shaved in 3 days - so I badly need to. But first I have to see if I can find a well in this Ville. I’d better get started.

Photo - Marines killing time.

24 April 1970

2010-04-24T17:16:00.000-05:00

Friday night
24 April 1970

It’s nearly dark - and when the sun sets, all activity ceases! I’m in the bush once again. We came out yesterday afternoon. We spent last night in one place, then moved to a new place for tonight. I went out on a patrol this morning with a squad. I wanted to go out to break the monotony. Also I was hoping we would run into some VC and perhaps get a little action! But - no! My phenomenal luck for staying out of direct enemy contact continues! Ha.

At the end of two weeks, C Co will go back to Baldy for 3 days of rehab, and I will try to go to Chu Lai and do some flying. I don’t particularly want to fly - but I’d like to get a short vacation from the grunts!

Tonight I had vegetable beef soup for dinner. Since one package makes so much, my radio operator and I shared it. Also, I’ve already eaten one can of pudding, and 2 packs of Kool-Aid. In only 24 hours in the bush. So, I’ll need more.

We should get resupply tomorrow, so I’ll get this in the mail, and maybe I’ll get some mail, to.

Right now is the best part of the day. The sun is now down, there is a cool breeze, I’m smoking a good cigar, and have a full stomach! What more could I want? Ha.

Photo - Marines eating meal in a burned out house. In center of photo can be seen the opening of a cache of rice buried in the floor.

23 April 1970

2010-04-23T16:25:00.000-05:00

Thursday
23 April 1970

I’m returning to the bush this afternoon!!! I’ve had all the soft life I can take! Ha. I guess it might look like I’m quitting by running back to the bush to get away from the Col. - well I am! I just can’t see putting up with him when I can be out in the bush where the action is and no one bothers me.

C Co has a new CO. He is a guy I went to TBS [The Basic School, six month course for new Marine officers ] with - but he is a Captain now. He had graduated from the Naval Academy a year before TBS and had gone to school in Europe. So - since he is a Capt, I have to say “sir” and I can’t call him by his first name, etc. Proper protocol dictates this in the division!

Right now the helicopters are on weather hold in Marble Mountain, so things are already getting all balled up. Everyday something seems to get messed up. Although yesterday was better than most!

22 April 1970

2010-04-22T16:22:00.000-05:00

Wednesday
22 April 1970

(from diary)

Am listening to our new S-3 giving the daily brief. Boy, is he a loo-loo!

Photo - not the new S-3. Rather, a fellow Lt. sitting at the table in our hooch. Note the television.

21 April 1970

2010-04-21T16:50:00.000-05:00

Tuesday
21 April 1970

Got a letter today!

I may go back to the bush day after tomorrow with C Co.. They are here at Baldy now for a few days rest. Ron Boehm, the other air officer, has been out in the bush 3 days and he’s ready to come back! He earned his combat action ribbon last night - and I still don’t have mine. I talked to Ron today when I was out at B Company’s position. The Col. went out there on the C & C helicopter, and I had to go along. Ron actually prefers to be at Baldy - and I prefer the bush! I just can’t put up with all the nonsense which goes on back here.

There’s no doubt in my mind that by the end of July I’ll be out of Vietnam. President Nixon’s speech today reemphasized the troop withdrawals - and there are a number of indications that most of the Marines will be out in the next 3 months. I expect the 7th Marines will leave before the end of June.

I said Ron had earned his C.A.R. He is with B Co. right now, and they were ambushed last night. Ron said he was in his hole and the bullets were really flying!! Luckily no one was hurt.

A lot of our injuries come from booby traps. The way booby traps are placed, most of the injury is to the lower half of the body. As a result a lot of legs are blown off. But something else - in most cases the man’s testicles are severely injured! Something a lot of people wouldn’t think of.

Photo - Vietnamese cemetery.

20 April 1970

2010-04-20T17:29:00.000-05:00

Monday night
20 April 1970

I have not received a letter for about 4 days. However, I did receive 2 Navy Times one day, and a package of chocolate pudding and a pack of instant soup.

The operation I wrote about several days ago, was this morning. I had planned the whole thing as far as the helicopters we used (9) and fixed wing air (2 A-4’s). I planned the schedule or time table.

L hour minus 45 minutes - Aerial observer on station.
L hour minus 30 - Artillery prep of Landing Zone begins
L hour minus 20 - Helicopters arrive at Baldy
L hour minus 10 - Helicopters depart Baldy
L hour minus 01 - Artillery prep ends
L hour Helicopters land and air strike begins.

The objective was an inland island, surround by rivers. I went to Marble Mountain yesterday with some other officers from here, to conduct the “Zippo” brief. Marble Mountain is the helicopter air field at Danang. We went up before lunch, and then gave the brief at 1400. There were about 20 people there from the various squadrons that would be supporting our operation. I briefed these people on the whole operation. That is what my job as ALO is really all about.

I can say, truthfully, that 2 first lieutenants planned this whole operation!! The artillery officer for the Battalion, and myself. We have a new operations officer here and he is totally incompetent! The CO was very pleased with the way the operation went. He said it was just like the book says. Just like a field problem back in the states.

The LZ itself wasn’t defended, but one of the A-4’s took a hit while he was bombing the south end of the island. The A-4’s dropped napalm on one end of the island, while the helicopters were landing at the other end. They didn’t find anyone on the island, but some civilians in the area said they saw several wounded VC going through their village right after the artillery prep and air strike.

I had put in a lot of time planning this helicopter assault, and I was quite pleased with the outcome. So now that the operation is over, I’ll go back to the old day to day routine of petty details - like the C&C helicopters!

I’m anxiously awaiting President Nixon’s speech, which I hope we’ll finally hear tomorrow night! However, I don’t expect him to say much, if it was so unimportant he could put it off. Or, maybe, he didn’t want to share the news space with the astronauts in space!??

Photo - Marines making a meal of c-rations.

18 April 1970

2010-04-18T16:03:00.000-05:00

Saturday
18 April 1970

I conducted the C & C this morning, which went fairly successful! We had a couple of problems and the CO was peeved a couple of times - but as a whole things went well.

I’ve been very busy the past couple of days and will be for a few more. We’re planning an operation, and I have to do all the planning for helicopters and air support. Also, I might be going to the bush again in a few days, but I won’t mind that to much because I’m already tired of being back at Baldy! I’m tired of the nonsense that goes on in this COC!! Never happy!!

Photo - that garbage can is in a lot of my pictures.

17 April 1970

2010-04-17T17:08:00.000-05:00

Friday morning
17 April 1970

Another day - another headache!! We had requested four flights of air for this morning - and aren’t receiving any!

I got two Navy Times yesterday, but that’s all.

I think I’m already ready to go back to the bush! Yesterday I spent about 14 hours in the COC. I finally left about 10 last night to go to bed, but I was called back at 11 so the CO could tell me he didn’t need a C & C bird for today!! A C & C bird is a Command and Control bird, helicopters, which we use for the CO to go out to the bush and visit the companies, or make visual reconnaissance, or any general purpose we have.

Anyway - I have to make up the schedule for this helicopter and the Col. gets very upset if things don’t go exactly as planned. A lot of times we can’t get the helicopter when we want it and the CO becomes quite difficult. I usually spend my whole day just planning and worrying about the C & C and we only use it for about 1 to 11/2 hours. Thank god we don’t have it requested for today.

We heard a new rumor this morning - that the artillery battalion which is supporting the 7th Marines, is to be pulled out of Vietnam by 15 June! Which means the 7th Marines must be going out also. Of course that only means I would go back to Chu Lai before my 100 days is finished.

16 April 1970

2010-04-16T17:14:00.000-05:00

Thursday morning
16 April 1970

Rats - Rats - Rats - President Nixon put off his much awaited speech, much to the disappointment of every Marine in Vietnam! I couldn’t even believe the reason that was given for doing so. If the men in Vietnam don’t mean more than 3 men in space, I wonder if he is going to announce a troop withdrawal at this time!

R & R in Tokyo would be wonderful. Of course, it’ll cost more, but that shouldn’t be any problem. So from this minute forward, I’ll plan on R & R in Tokyo on the 1st of August. I’ll put in my request for that. I haven’t talked to anyone who has gone there for R & R, so I don’t have any idea about places to stay. But they’ll have a Hilton Hotel there. Of course all of this will be subject to cancellation, in event I leave Vietnam before 1 August and I’m fairly sure I will ! (I hope)

As things stand right now, I’d like to stay here until June or July, then go to Japan for the remainder of my tour.

I’m sitting in the COC right now, and another long day has begun. I hope this day won’t be as hectic as was yesterday!! Last night I went to the o’club to the movie, and I was called back to the COC in the middle of the movie. One of our companies was in contact and they had requested an airplane to drop flares over their position. As it turned out, they didn’t need the airplane, and shouldn’t have requested it. Fortunately, I had already seen the movie, so I didn’t miss anything there!

I received the package of soup and Kool-Aid yesterday. I won’t have to use it here at Baldy, but I’ll save it until I go to the bush again - then it’ll be great to have!! Haven’t got the pudding yet.

Photo - View of enlisted housing at LZ Baldy.

15 April 1970

2010-04-15T15:39:00.001-05:00

Wednesday morning
15 April 1970

I am now the ALO, the duty expert - and responsible for everything that flies! Ha. The CO of this battalion is so screwed I don’t even believe it! He is always worried about things getting screwed up and he causes about 50% of our trouble.

Tomorrow, I hope, we’ll hear some good word about troop withdrawals.

Since I’m back at Baldy, now, I’ll have less to write about - because everyday is just like the day before. Nothing new ever happens.

I do plan to buy a slide projector before I return to the states. I can probably get one at Chu Lai, when I get back there. I intend to get a projector with a slide tray that holds as many slides as possible, 80 or more. Then I’ll get some extra trays. I figure I’ve taken over 200 pictures since I’ve been over here. Right now I have over 50 slides, here. I have another 36 slides sent off for developing.

The pictures I sent in my last letter were taken with my new camera. I bought it at Chu Lai for less than $50 - and it can take pictures inside without a flash!! However, it has to be real well lit inside.

The camera is a Konica S2, 35 mm, and has an automatic electric eye. It also has all the goodies I wanted. It takes up to 36 slides or pictures per roll. I’ve been taking it out to the bush with me, so I have a lot of pictures of the troops, Vietnamese, etc. The roll I have sent off now should have the best pictures on it. I’ll be sending a few of the B & W pictures in each letter. I’ll send the slides when I get a chance.

I intend to buy a flash attachment, and a tripod for the camera. The camera has a time setting on it that allows about 15 secs between the time the button is depressed and the picture actually takes. So by using a tripod, we can take pictures of ourselves, with everyone in the picture. Great, eh?

I’ve been very pleased with the pictures I’ve been getting with the camera. I borrowed a flash attachment at Chu Lai and took pictures of one of the floor shows we had. Some of the slides are real good. However, I was to far away to get really good pictures.

Photo - LTs with to much time on their hands.

14 April 1970

2010-04-14T16:50:00.000-05:00

Tuesday
14 April 1970

I got back to Baldy yesterday, and I hope to be here for awhile.

I stayed with the 3rd platoon for 3 nights, and even went out on a patrol one day - but I still wasn’t in any direct enemy contact.

The past two nights have been very cold. I guess it must be some kind of cold front, because the wind blows very hard and cold.

I received a package of candy, but that’s the only mail I’ve had in the past 5 days. It’s possible some mail may have gone out to Charlie Co. on the re-supply yesterday. If so, I won’t receive it for a couple of days. I don’t have any news in particular, because nothing has happened.

It’s really great being back at Baldy. Had 2 good meals yesterday and my first decent night sleep in 12 days.

Only 3 more days until Pres. Nixon’s speech. I just hope we’re not disappointed when he makes it.

This new job, ALO, will be mostly a pain-in-the-neck. The main thing is to be the duty expert on anything that flies! The ALO has to see that all re-supply, troop lifts, CAS, etc. are requested and run smoothly. The Battalion CO is a real character, and he gets very upset if things go wrong.

I have a feeling that the days are going to be much longer here, than they were out in the bush - if possible. I have to sit in the COC all day long, and be available all night.

Photo - Command Operating Center, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, LZ Baldy.

13 April 1970

2010-04-13T16:23:00.000-05:00

Monday
13 April 1970

(from diary)

Returned to Baldy today. Will become ALO - the duty expert on anything that flies.

Went on Command and Control flight with the battalion commander this afternoon. Murphy thoroughly routed!!!

12 April 1970

2010-04-12T19:21:00.000-05:00

Sunday
12 April, 1970

(following is entry from diary)

Spent all day on patrol with 1st Sqd. No contact, and went swimming!! Most enjoyable. Observed many civilians going north early this morning. Figure they were going to the market some where.

11 April 1970

2010-04-11T16:58:00.000-05:00

Saturday
11 April 1970

For the past 24 hours I’ve been attached to the 3rd platoon. We are acting as a blocking force for an operation - the theory being that we’ll keep the enemy from escaping in this direction. However we’ve had no contact and haven’t seen any particularly suspicious people. We’re set up around a burned farm house right now, for the night.

Well, the President has announced his announcement, concerning future troop withdrawals and every Marine is most anxious to hear his speech. We all expect the 7th Marines to be withdrawn this time and, I hope, the F-4’s.

The Commanding General of 1st MarDiv - Maj. Gen Wheeler - visited C Co in the bush day before yesterday (or was it yesterday). Of course all the officers in C Co talked to him, reluctantly. Actually he did all the talking! He asked me how long I had been with C Co, where I was before, how long there, etc., then he said C Co was a very good company to be with.   C Co is the largest company in the battalion and, in fact, (I guess) is the best. Even if they are, I’ve seen a lot of practices I wasn’t very pleased with.

I had to stop and put my gas mask on!!!   For the second time in two days I’ve been gassed by our own people. It’s CS gas, used in the states for riots. It’s being put in bunkers in that hamlet that C Co is in. however, we are about a mile away, but a strong wind is blowing the gas right to our position. This gas burns the eyes and skin and can cause nausea.

I have a new radio operator with me. He came out yesterday. He is from Amarillo. He’s been trying to get emergency leave for about the past week. Red Cross approved it and so did battalion - but division denied it. I think he’s having some kind of marital trouble - but he hasn’t talked about it. He has a son about 15 months old.

When I think that my boys are 2 and 3 - I really feel like an old man! Most of the Marines (enlisted) are between 18-21.   When I tell them how long I’ve been in the corps, married, sons, etc. they are really awed. Doesn’t seem that long ago that I was 21.

Right now I can see traffic moving along Highway 1, about 2 miles away. Those vehicles move in relative safety, yet we suspect there is a Vietcong battalion operating in this area. There is really no way we can rid this country of the Vietcong - because we can’t catch them. They fight on their terms, when they wish. Their tactics consist of sniping, ambushes, and booby traps. All the casualties we’ve had in the past month have been from booby traps or snipers. And it’s frustrating because we can’t do a thing about it!!

Photo - my radio operator frying a slice of ham on a "c-ration can stove".

10 April 1970

2010-04-10T17:35:00.000-05:00

Friday
10 April 2010

I should be selected for Captain this time - if they promote as many as they did last year. However, I probably wouldn’t actually get promoted for a few more months.

I took a shower today! Of course I had to build my own shower and get people to poor water for me! I suspended a bucket, with holes punched in the bottom, from a bamboo pole near the well in this hamlet. Then two people poured water into the bucket while I showered beneath it. Then we switched and I helped pour water for the next man.

I found out today that I’ll be going back to Baldy on Monday - probably.

I got a package of Hershey’s from my folks today. It was the candy they had sent to Chu Lai and it just now reached me.

They are burning all the houses in this village. The village chief and hamlet chief say that this village and all the people in it are VC sympathizers. Seems that the Vietcong live here until the Marines come, then the VC all leave and only the women and children stay behind.

So this hamlet which I said was so prosperous, is being completely destroyed by the very people who, supposedly, govern it. I don’t know who elected (or appointed) the chiefs (mayors), but I’ll bet the people who live here didn’t have anything to do with it.

I got a couple of good pictures of my friend taking a shower. They may be obscene! He also took some pictures of me on his camera. We’ll probably exchange pictures when they get developed.

We’ve been in this position for 4 days now, which is really great. I get tired of having to walk to a new place every day.

(following is from diary entry dated 10 April)

Today I tired of being dirty and lazy so I remedied both by building a shower and recruiting two men to help me shower by pouring water. I, in turn, poured water for them. We, jokingly, labeled ourselves “geisha guys” and toyed with the idea of hiring out our services as pourers. Idea rejected!

This beautiful hamlet is a shambles because Marines live like pigs! But, never mind, we’re allowing the hamlet to be burned down by the local officials (?) who claim this is a VC hamlet. I wonder who elected these officials. Also, how much profit do they pocket from the sale of the confiscated rice which we gathered up and then turned over to the village officials.

9 April 1970

2010-04-09T17:06:00.000-05:00

Thursday
9 April 1970

I finally got a letter today!! Something I would like to have is packages of instant oatmeal or cream of wheat, etc. Anything that can be mixed with water I would love to have! Makes a good relief from c-rations.

We’re still in this village where we shot the VC. We found out that the woman who was protecting him was either his wife, or they were “shacking up”. I guess we’ll be moving out of here tomorrow - but I’m not sure.

Ron, the ALO, wanted me to come back to Baldy, so he could go to Danang for a few days to get some flight time. However the Battalion CO said he would have to wait a few days. Why, I don’t know.

Right at this minute we’re having trouble with the helicopter who is supposed to pick up the Bn CO. He came out here to our position for a briefing with all the company COs but now we can’t get the helicopter back! I hate working with the choppers because they are so undependable!

A nice thing about being in this village is that it has bamboo thickets all around so we can stay in the shade at all times. The sun really glares down and, with the humidity, is quite uncomfortable.

I’ve started a diary!! Seems like every day there is something happens that is so ridiculous that I just have to write it down - since I can’t bitch to anyone, really. These ground pounders are so retarded I can’t even believe it!

(following is from diary entry of 9 April)

C and C [command and control] bird is all screwed up, as usual.

Village and hamlet chiefs showed up and want to burn this place to the ground. All the civilians packed up and left.

8 April 1970

2010-04-08T16:26:00.001-05:00

Wednesday morning
8 April 1970

Well!!!

During the night we found a VC inside one of the straw thatch houses right here inside our lines! In fact this house was about 25 yards from where the company CO was sleeping, and less than 50 yards from me!

He apparently was flashing a light, as though signaling someone. We got our K.C.S. (Kit Carson Scout - former VC turned good guy) who tried to get the VC to come out. He would not come out so they threw a flare grenade up next to the house to light it up. The VC still would not come out - so the K.C.S. opened fire with his rifle and killed him!

So I’ve now seen my first dead VC. Meanwhile, the house caught on fire and burned to the ground, so the Marines turned firemen to keep the fire from spreading.

We found out that this VC had been here about 3 days and these people were hiding him all yesterday afternoon after we came in here.

So this morning, all the people who live in this hamlet have been gathered up and we are going to search this hamlet good. These people are definitely VC sympathizers . We came in here to protect these people from the VC!! and we find out they’re hiding one. How about that.

(Following is entry from diary - 8 April)

Yesterday we moved across the sand dunes again and set up in a hamlet. This hamlet appeared quite prosperous and friendly. However, the "friendly" was mere put on for we discovered a VC hiding in a house near the C.P. He was shot to death by the KCS when he refused to come out. Also, the house caught fire and burned down. The remainder of the night passed uneventfully.

This morning all the people in this hamlet were gathered in the C.P. and the KCS harangued them all morning long. We sent for National Policemen to come, and they arrived about noon to take charge of the villagers.

One young woman especially strikes me as being quite intelligent and even educated - as she seems to be a bit amused by all that is happening. She is quite attractive as far as peasant Vietnamese women go. Has small child about 2 years.

VC was shot in head and had gaping hole in left temple. My first look at a dead (or live) VC.

Ate dinner with the National Policemen. Very good food - c-rations cooked with rice. Also hot tea followed by cigarettes.

7 April 1970

2010-04-07T17:01:00.000-05:00

Tuesday night
7 April 1970

This is the first letter I’ve written since last Saturday. This is first time I’ve really felt like writing. We’ve moved thrice since then and all have been long, tiring walks!!

Yesterday and today we moved across white sand dunes at noontime under a glaring sun! Last night I had a bit of a sun burn. This afternoon we’ve set up in a very nice, prosperous hamlet. It is surrounded by fertile fields of ripe rice which they are harvesting. They have, also, fields of vegetables, and we found a field of ripe cucumbers! Boy, were they good!!

I don’t know just how long we’ll be here, but I expect we’ll move on tomorrow.

I got some mail today on the re-supply, a letter and some newspapers.

Each day I’m out here with the grunts I realize more just how little good we are doing. There are supposed to be lots of VC around, but we just can’t ever catch them! We’ve had more casualties than we can claim to have inflicted! Also, I’ve done absolutely nothing!! In the 3 weeks I’ve been a FAC, I’ve done my job one time! One time I’ve controlled a flight of CAS!!!!

The kids in these hamlets are professional beggars! Ha. All they know is to ask for cigarettes and food! I took a picture of one small boy who was "selling" water for cigarettes. I got another good picture of an old woman being doctored by our corpsman. She had a bad sore on her hand and he cleaned it up and dressed it.

The best thing of all about being in the hamlet is that the VC probably won’t attack us because they would hurt the civilians - not that the VC particularly care about the people.